AUDITORY BRAIN-STEM RESPONSES IN LEPTOMENINGEAL METASTATIC SPREAD

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.