Abstract
Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded from 55 patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) to elicit evidence of an organic and subclinical brainstem disorder. Fifteen patients (27.3%) showed abnormal responses unilaterally or bilaterally, especially for one or more interpeak latencies prolonged beyond the upper 99% confidence limits. Other 9 patients had borderline responses. The BAEP alterations were not correlated either with dizziness at the time of recording, or with vestibular troubles in the routine caloric test. Though BAEP abnormalities may be present a long time after injury, we found an improvement of responses in the majority of 14 re-tested patients. These data show that BAEP can give an objective demonstration of a reversible brainstem disorder in patients with PCS.
Sommario
I potenziali evocati acustici del tronco cerebrale (BAEP) sono stati registrati in 55 pazienti affetti da sindrome soggettiva postcraniotraumatica (PCS), per evidenziare un possibile danno organico subclinico del tronco cerebrale. Quindici pazienti (27.3%) hanno mostrato risposte alterate unilateralmente o bilateralmente, soprattutto a causa della presenza di una o più latenze interpicchi oltre i limiti fiduciali superiori del 99%. Altri 9 pazienti hanno mostrato risposte borderline. Non sono state ritrovate correlazioni tra il reperto di BAEP alterati e la presenza di vertigini all'atto dell'esame, né con il comportamento dell'esame vestibolare. Benché le alterazioni del BAEP si possano osservare anche a distanza di molti mesi dal trauma, la maggioranza dei pazienti con BA EP alterati, ad un secondo esame ha mostrato un miglioramento della risposta. Tali dati dimostrano che i BAEP sono in grado, in alcuni pazienti affetti da PCS, di evidenziare un danno organico del tronco cerebrale, passibile di regressione.
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Benna, P., Bergamasco, B., Bianco, C. et al. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in postconcussion syndrome. Ital J Neuro Sci 3, 281–287 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02043575
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02043575