The value of serial auditory brainstem response in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

A total of 98 serial auditory brainstem responses from 17 patients (11 boys and 6 girls) with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were compared with t heir clinical course and stages. These patients were exposed to measles ear ly in life (at 1.8 +/- 1.4 years old) with the average onset of the disease at 8.8 +/- 0.7 years of age. The main abnormalities of their auditory brai nstem responses were a prolongation of waves I, III, and V, and of the I to V interpeak interval. Wave V thresholds were also elevated. These effects on the auditory brainstem responses started 1 to 2 years after onset of neu rologic signs. I to V interpeak latency became prolonged with the progress of clinical stages, especially in Jabbour's clinically advanced stage IV. I n two patients with an acute progressive type of subacute sclerosing panenc ephalitis, very rapid deterioration with a distorted wave pattern of later components was observed. These findings suggest rostrocaudal progression in the central nervous system of both long-term and fulminant cases.