Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) pathology in topographical diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions.

The authors tried to determine the level of the brainstem where possible generators of various BAEPs waves could be situated by correlating clinical neurological symptomatology and/or cranial computed tomography findings of 195 patients with posterior fossa lesions with distinct BAEPs waves pathology. Results of statistical analysis showed a significant dependence between the levels of lesions as revealed by clinical symptomatology and/or cranial computed tomography and distinct BAEPs waves I-V pathology. Only indirect proof exists for the supratentorial origin of waves VI and VII.

Pathology of wave III of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs).

In a group of 195 consecutively examined patients with brainstem neurological symptomatology parameters of the wave III BAEPs were pathological in 20 patients. In 70% of them the clinical symptomatology and/or the cranial computed tomography examination results pointed to a lesion at the level of pontomedullary junction and lower pons Varoli where according to the recent opinion the possible generators of this BAEP wave are situated (superior olivary complex, nuclei cochleares, corpus trapezoideum). These results support the supposed localization of possible generators of the wave III BAEPs.

[Quantitative evaluation of disorders of upright posture using stabilometry].

The authors examined, using the stabilometric method, 14 patients with lesions of the cerebellum, vestibular system and cerebral hemispheres (hemiparetics). Quantitative evaluation of the stability of posture was done using 7 parameters under four conditions: with open eyes, with closed eyes, with additional visual feedback and standing on a 10 cm foam rubber with closed eyes. In patients with a vestibular lesion the authors observed more frequent elevated values in a lateral direction, a marked destabilization of the posture on the foam rubber and effective use of the added visual feedback.

[Prophylactic treatment of vasospasm with nimodipine in subarachnoid hemorrhage].

Nimodipine, a calcium antagonist, was administered to 33 patients with subarachnoidal haemorrhage as prophylaxis of late ischaemic neurological deficiency. Despite the relatively high frequency of vasospasm during repeated angiographic examinations (27%), the general therapeutic effect in the group of treated patients was favourable. 52% patients improved and had no or only a minimal neurological deficit.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs), pathology of wave IV.

In a group of 134 consecutive patients with brainstem symptomatology wave IV was bilaterally absent in 69%. Bilateral absence of this wave can be considered as a normal state. Only absence of wave IV on one side with its presence on the other side was appraised as pathologic.