[Brainstem lesions: clinicoradiological electrophysiological correlation when chronic].

INTRODUCTION

The brainstem is a vital structure. Imaging and electrophysiological studies are important aids to clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical, imaging and electrophysiological correlation in 28 patients with chronic brainstem lesions.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We analyzed the results of physical examination, imaging studies (CAT and MR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BEAP) in each patient.

RESULTS

There was a predominance of males in the group studied. The commonest age groups were between 25 34 and 35 44 years old. Involvement of the cranial nerves was the commonest neurological finding, and the XII cranial nerve was the one most commonly involved. The condition had persisted for 1 to 4 years in 60.8% of the patients. There was a predominance of lesions of the pons in 28.6%. In five patients classical syndromes were seen. The commonest aetiology was ischaemic cerebrovascular disease in 53.6% of the patients. The lesions were detected on MR in 86.6% of the cases and on CAT scans in only 27.3%. The BEAP was abnormal in 75% of the patients. There was close correlation between the clinical topography and results of MR (p<0.05) but little correlation with the CAT scans or PEATC.

CONCLUSION

We consider that MR is the investigation of choice in these patients.