BAEP
BAEP are sensory responses produced when the brain processes or transmits auditory stimuli. Like the evoked responses tracked by the SSEP modality, these impulses are minute and commonly lost in background electrical activity.
Scores of signals are gathered from sterile subdermal needle electrodes in the scalp and averaged while filtering out background electrical activity. Response patterns detected by BAEP help pinpoint auditory pathway issues that may occur between the ear and midbrain. Readings are tracked continuously during the surgery.
BAEP effectively monitors the integrity of the auditory and visual systems despite temperature differentials and anesthesia use. Often an adjunct to other modalities, it is indicated for surgical procedures such as posterior fossa craniotomies, basilar artery aneurysms, lateral cerebral cortex evaluation and arteriovenous malformation correction.
Since BAEP may reduce hearing loss during selected procedures it may be contraindicated in patients with extensive hearing impairment or in ORs with significant noise levels
