Tetrahedral recording of 3-D BAEPs: evidence for the centered dipole model.

Three-dimensional brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (3-D BAEPs) were recorded from 12 normal subjects using a new tetrahedral montage, as well as two other bipolar montages previously described for 3-channel Lissajous' trajectories (3-CLTs). Mean responses, as well as between-subject and within-subject variability were described. A mathematical transformation was applied to the recorded trajectories to render them in a common canonical form to test the assumption that the BAEP conforms to a centrally generated dipolar field. Apex, segment, and plane orientations were measured for each trajectory, and discrepancies between montages were evaluated to judge the adequacy of the centered dipole model. For the vector means of apices, segments, and planes, median angles of discrepancy between montages ranged from 10 to 23 degrees. These results support the validity of a centered dipole model for the BAEP and affirm the rationale for employing the 3-channel recording technique. Among the montages studied, the tetrahedron provided maximum economy by using fewer electrodes, avoided certain problematic recording sites, and produced less variable data.