Usefulness of Blink Reflex in Pediatric Dysphagia and Dysarthria Patient - A Case Report -

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2010;12(1):72-75.
Published online June 1, 2010.

Abstract

Blink reflex can be used for electrophysiological study of the brainstem function. Blink reflex shows status of polysynaptic pathway through relay of complex route, especially pons and lateral medulla. We diagnosed lesion in pons and medulla using blink reflex study in a 45-month-old girl showing severe dysarthria, dysphagia and ataxia with no evidence of abnormality from brain MRI and BAEP study. We suggest blink reflex study as a good diagnostic method for evaluating patient with dysphagia to differentiate brainstem lesion, from cerebral lesion especially in equivocal brain MRI results. Blink reflex study is more useful with advantage of non-invasive and cost effective, and more accurate than BAEP study or brain MRI in brainstem lesion.

Key Words: Blink reflex, Brainstem, BAEP, Dysphagia