Abstract
Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (S-SEPs) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were analyzed in children with brainstem lesions (4 cases of brainstem tumors, 4 of spinocerebellar degenerations and 1 of congenital ocular motor apraxia). S-SEPs and ABRs in these patients were compared with those obtained from age-matched normal control subjects. In all cases of brainstem tumors, first examinations of S-SEPs and ABRs were recorded within one month after the onset, and follow-up S-SEPs and ABRs in three cases were recorded at 3-6 months after the onset. Combined radio-and chemotherapy was performed in every case. At first records, abnormalities of waves were more remarkable in the affected sides. Moreover, changes of waves in the follow-up records from those in the first records provided us the information with regard to the prognosis of brainstem tumors. In spinocerebellar degenerations, prolongation of P3-N1 interpeak latencies in S-SEPs was detected in all cases of spinocerebellar form, but not detected in familial spastic paraplegia. In the case of congenital ocular motor apraxia, shortening of P3-N1 interpeak latency and of I-III, III-V interpeak latencies were detected, which was compatible with narrow width of pons on CTscan. These findings may reflect the abnormal morphology of brainstem in congenital ocular motor apraxia.
