Re-evaluation of the ABR in the diagnosis of CPA tumors in the MRI-era.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) findings in a series of 20 patients with cerebellopontine-angle (CPA) tumors are reported. Every patient was examined by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of ABR since the introduction of MRI. Should the strategy for early diagnosis be changed? This paper tries to answer the question both by analyzing our data and by reviewing the literature. MRI is mandatory for diagnosis of small acoustic tumors because ABR lacks adequate sensitivity in this group.