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Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background and Objective:

Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (VEPs and BAEPs) are standard techniques for evaluating the integrity of visual and auditory pathways respectively. The objective of our audit study was to assess demographic trends,referral indications, and electrophysiological outcomes of patients undergoing VEP and BAEP testing in a tertiary care neurophysiology laboratory in Pakistan.

Methods:

A retrospective, cross-sectional audit was conducted of 952 patient records (VEP, n=219; BAEP, n=733) over a three-year period from neurophysiology laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital. Demographic characteristics,clinical referral indications, and electrophysiological findings were collected. Standard ACNS guidelines were used for all recordings. Statistical analysis was descriptive, with categorical variables expressed as frequencies and percentages.

Results:

In the VEP cohort (51.1% female; 48.9% male), the 1-10-year age group underwent a VEP most commonly. The predominant referral indication was visual loss with optic neuropathy (52.5%), and bilateral optic pathway dysfunction (42.3%) was the most frequently seen abnormality. The BAEP cohort was also predominantly in the 1-10-year age group. Primary referral indications were delayed speech development (42.7%) and hearing loss (26.6%); peripheral auditory pathway dysfunction (53.2%) was the most common abnormal finding.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates the primary utility of VEPs and BAEPs in evaluating pediatric and young adult populations for optic neuropathy and peripheral auditory dysfunction, respectively. These data underscore the critical role of evoked

potential testing in the early diagnosis and management of visual and auditory pathway disorders, supporting its integration into standard diagnostic protocols.

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