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Brainstem auditory evoked potentials after irradiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma—Report on two cases with myelopathy of the brainstem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. K. Lau ,
W. I. Wei ,
D. Choyt ,
J. S. T. Sham  and
U. C. G. Engzell
S. K. Lau*
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong.
W. I. Wei
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong.
D. Choyt
Affiliation:
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
J. S. T. Sham
Affiliation:
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
U. C. G. Engzell
Affiliation:
ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong.
*
Mr Sai-kit Lau, ENT Unit, Department of surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
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Abstract

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) were recorded in two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) irradiated 14 and three years ago respectively and compared with 15 healthy controls. The patients had features of post- irradiation myelopathy of the brainstem with reduced gag reflex, unilateral vocal cord paralysis and fasciculation of the tongue. The first patient had a blind left eye. The second patient had quadriparesis. All ears revealed post-irradiation otitis media changes and mixed deafness. BAEP was not recognizable in the left ear of the first patient and was normal in the left ear of the second patient. Simultaneous electrocochleogram and BAEP were recorded from the right ear of the first case. The wave I–V latency interval were rolonged in both right ears. In the absence of local recurrence and brain secondaries, these BAEP changes are attributed to the post-irradiation myelopathy of brainstem.

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 102 , Issue 12 , December 1988 , pp. 1142 - 1146
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1988

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