Pressure-induced modifications of the acoustic nerve. Part II: Auditory brain stem responses.

The auditory brain stem response is a diagnostic tool commonly used in the evaluation of patients suspected of having an acoustic neuroma. The mechanism by which the auditory brain stem response is altered in the presence of an acoustic neuroma is unclear. In this report, an experimental model is presented as an investigative tool for future studies of this mechanism: acute compression of the nerves of the internal auditory canal in cats stimulates the changes observed in patients with acoustic neuromas.