Brainstem auditory evoked response due to toxic molds

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1: Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2002 Jan-Mar;14(1):67-76. Related

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Brainstem auditory evoked response in adolescents with acoustic

mycotic neuroma due to environmental exposure to toxic molds.

Anyanwu E, AW, High W.

Center for Immune, Environmental and Toxic Disorders, 25010

Oakhurst, Suite 200, Spring, Texas 77386, USA. eanyanwu@...

Indoor air contamination with toxic opportunistic molds is an

emerging health risk worldwide. Some of the opportunistic molds

include: Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus species (A. fumigatus,

A. flavus, A. niger, A. versicolor etc.), Cadosporium, Alternaria,

Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium graminearum etc. These molds

flourish in homes that are moist and damp. Reports of floods are now

evident in many parts of the world. With these global changes in

climatic conditions that favor the opportunistic mode of living

among these molds, some health authorities are beginning to feel

concerned about the diversity and the extent to which opportunistic

molds can cause adverse health effects in humans. Mycotoxicosis is

the collective name for all the diseases caused by toxic molds.

Frequently, we have cases of acoustic neuroma due to mycotoxicity in

our Center. Mycotic neuroma probably has not been reported before

and the application of brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)

techniques in acoustic mycotic neuroma have not been reported

either. The aim of this study, therefore, was to report cases and

measurements of acoustic mycotic neuroma in adolescents using the

brainstem auditory evoked response. The patients' case history,

clinical neurological and neurobehavioral questionnaires were

assessed. Then, the BAERs were recorded between Cz and Ai, with a

second channel, Cz-Ac. The case histories and the questionnaires

were analyzed in conjunction with the outcome of the objective

brainstem auditory evoked response measurements. The prevalent

subjective findings in the patients were headaches, memory loss,

hearing loss, lack of concentration, fatigue, sleep disturbance,

facial swelling, rashes, nosebleeds, diarrhea, abdominal pains and

respiratory difficulties. Objective BAER showed overall

abnormalities in all the patients. Although the waveform

abnormalities varied, 1-3 interpeak latencies were abnormal in all

the patients. Overall results showed the presence of acoustic

mycotic neuroma and confirmed the sensitivity and usefulness of BAER

in screening acoustic mycotic neuroma and sensorineural auditory

dysfunction.

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PMID: 12467209 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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