Oscilloscopic analysis of the stapedius muscle reflex in brain stem lesions.

An oscilloscopic analysis of several features of the stapedius muscle reflex was carried out in a group of normal subjects and in patients affected by dysfunction at the brain stem level due to a pathologic lesion or temporary reduction by small doses of barbiturates. Under these conditions, the increased latency and reduced amplitude of the reflex, but particularly the reduced velocity and, not infrequently, the step-like pattern of the tracings, are considered to be data of considerable value in disorders of the brain stem structues.