ABR train-block detection of small acoustic neuromas

描述（由申请人提供）：被称为ABR（听觉脑干反应）的诱发反应受到听神经瘤的神经压迫的影响，但目前还不够敏感，无法检测到小肿瘤。如果ABR可以用于检测肿瘤，将降低总体医疗费用，并提供一种判断肿瘤进展速度的手段。本项目提出通过两种方法提高ABR对听神经瘤压迫神经的敏感性：1)使用最近发表的一种新的啁啾刺激，该刺激可刺激所有viii - ith神经纤维，包括低频神经纤维。2)以非常高的刺激重复率刺激。Abratech公司开发了一种新方法，允许以高刺激重复率记录ABR，可能需要用于检测小肿瘤。提出的研究将在患有小听神经瘤的患者中测试新方法与新的啁啾刺激相结合的灵敏度。这个建议是与健康相关的，因为它是针对一个已知的健康问题：听神经瘤的诊断和监测。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The evoked response called the ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) is affected by nerve compression by acoustic neuromas, but is not presently sensitive enough to detect small tumors. If the ABR could be used to detect tumors, it would reduce overall medical costs and also provide a means to judge rate of tumor progression. This project proposes to improve the sensitivity of the ABR to nerve compression by acoustic neuromas by two means: 1) using a new chirp-stimulus recently published, which provides stimulation of all VIIIth nerve fibers, including those subserving low-frequencies. 2) stimulating at very high stimulus repetition-rates. A new method has been developed by Abratech Corporation which permits recording the ABR at the high stimulus repetition-rates likely to be needed for detection of small tumors. The research proposed will test the sensitivity of the new method combined with the new chirp-stimulus, in patients who have small acoustic neuromas. This proposal is health-related because it is directed towards a known health-problem: the diagnosis and monitoring of acoustic neuromas.