Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in 2 patients with h
earing loss caused by leptomeningeal metastatic spread. These recordin
gs showed similar characteristic findings. The absolute latencies of w
ave V and interwave latencies I-V were exceedingly increased. Definite
effects on the wave morphology and latency of wave V were observed wi
th the use of high repetition rates. It is surmised that the hearing l
oss caused by leptomeningeal metastatic spread is mainly an effect on
the auditory nerve and/or the cochlear nucleus. ABR examination is of
clinical value in detecting functional abnormalities resulting from le
ptomeningeal metastatic spread.