Revista de neurologia
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Revista de neurologia · Jun 2013
Review[Brainstem auditory evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials in Chiari malformation].
Chiari malformations (CM) include a series of congenital anomalies involving the descent of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum, which may be associated with compression in the brainstem, upper spinal cord, and cranial nerves, consequently altering the responses of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP). However, only a small number of authors have described the indications of these tests in CM, and study groups to date have been small and heterogeneous. ⋯ Common findings of SSEP are a reduction in cortical amplitude from the posterior tibial nerve, a reduction or absence of cervical median nerve potential, and an increased N13-N20 interval. In BAEP, the most frequent findings are an increased I-V interval and a peripheral or cochlear auditory disturbance.