Detection of brain stem auditory evoked potentials and transcranial doppler in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Objective:To investigate the correlation between brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and transc ranial doppler(TCD) examination in patients with vertebrobasilar ischemia(VBI).Methods:Sixty eight patients with VBI and 30 non VBI patients were studied by BAEPs and TCD.Results:The abnormality rate of BAEP was 58 6%, and TCD 61 2%. No significant difference by Chi square test was noted between the abnormality of BAEPs and TCD, while in non VBI group the abnormality rate of BAEP was %, TCD 47%. Both BAEP and TCD were abnormal in 64 patients with VBI(55.1%), and 5 ones with non VBI(8.3%). Both BAEP and TCD were normal in 23 patients with VBI(19.8%),and in 32 ones with non VBI(60%). Conclusion:Combination of BAEP and TCD might increase the value of diagnosing VBI. The results of TCD alone can not be a considerable diagnostic basis for VBI.