Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Postconcussion Dizziness

Abstract

• Twenty-seven patients with postconcussion dizziness following minor injury to the head or neck had brainstem auditory evoked potential studies from one day to eight months (median, 37 days) following injury. All patients were normal on clinical examination at the time of study. Three patients had one or more interpeak latencies prolonged beyond the 99% tolerance limit for normal control subjects. The group mean 1-3, 2-3, and 1-5 interpeak latencies were significantly prolonged. These findings indicate that minor head or neck injury with associated subjective symptomatology may be accompanied by objectively demonstrable brainstem dysfunction.