Acoustic reflexes, auditory brainstem response, and MRI in the evaluation of acoustic neuromas

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 106; no. 7; p. 839
• Main Authors: Burkey, J M, Rizer, F M, Schuring, A G, Fucci, M J, Lippy, W H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1996
• Subjects: Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem - physiology; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroma, Acoustic - diagnosis; Neuroma, Acoustic - physiopathology; Reflex, Acoustic - physiology
• DOI: 10.1097/00005537-199607000-00010
• ISSN: 0023-852X

Patient records were reviewed to determine whether persons with absent acoustic reflexes have a higher incidence of abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR) results in the absence of a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor than those with normal acoustic reflexes. Results showed patients with absent reflexes to have borderline or abnormal ABR results in 45.2% of the cases. Patients with normal reflexes had borderline or abnormal ABR results in 14.2% of the cases. Results indicate that magnetic resonance imaging is a more appropriate test for patients with absent reflexes, since ABR was often nondiagnostic for a CPA tumor in this group.