Isolated Medulla Oblongata Function After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Isolated Medulla Oblongata Function After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2001;70:127–129 127 J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.70.1.127 on 1 January 2001. Downloaded from SHORT REPORT Isolated medulla oblongata function after severe traumatic brain injury E F M Wijdicks, J L D Atkinson, H Okazaki Abstract reflexes were absent. Brain CT documented a The objective was to report the first large left epidural supratentorial haematoma in pathologically confirmed case of partly addition to subarachnoid blood in the basal functionally preserved medulla oblongata cisterns and fourth ventricle and intraparen- in a patient with catastrophic traumatic chymal haemorrhage in both cerebellar pedun- brain injury. cles and pons. Laboratory tests including A patient is described with epidural serum alcohol concentration and urinary toxi- haematoma with normal breathing and cology screen were unremarkable. He was blood pressure and a retained coughing taken to surgery as an emergency for left crani- reflex brought on only by catheter suc- otomy and removal of epidural haematoma. tioning of the carina. Multiple contusions in the thalami and pons were found but POSTOPERATIVE COURSE the medulla oblongata was spared at After evacuation of the epidural haematoma he necropsy. remained comatose. Repeat brain CT showed a In conclusion, medulla oblongata function new large epidural haematoma in the posterior may persist despite rostrocaudal deterio- fossa with a stellate haematoma in the pons and ration. This comatose state (“medulla newly imaged contusions in both thalami. man”) closely mimics brain death. Neurological examination by one of the ( 2001;70:127–129) J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry attending physicians showed lack of conscious- Keywords: brain death; head injury; apnoea test; ness, virtually absent brain stem reflexes (with outcome specific attention to vertical eye movement and blinking), and no motor response to pain. A cough response was momentarily noted by one Department of Any neurological catastrophe may result in of the attending nurses but no recognisible Neurology, Neurologic- brain death and its transition is typically deter- response was seen with movement of the Neurosurgical mined by clinical neurological examination endotracheal tube. A brief episode of hypoten- http://jnnp.bmj.com/ Intensive Care Unit, alone.1 In many countries of the world, sion with a systolic blood pressure of 80 mm Saint Marys Hospital, confirmatory tests are optional in adults but Hg was noted. 1216 Second Street SW remain obligatory in children and the new- Phenylephrine was administered to ensure 55905 Rochester, 2 Minnisota, USA born. Therefore, clinical examination should adequate perfusion. No diabetes insipidus was E F M Wijdicks be unequivocal and precise. It should include seen. An apnoea test was performed. Within testing of respiratory drive after maximal minutes after disconnection a spontaneous Department of stimulation of the respiratory centres with regular respiratory eVort with tidal volumes Neurosurgery hypercarbia using apnoeic oxygenation tech- between 300–500 ml was recorded at a Pco of on October 2, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. J L D Atkinson 2 niques. Only a few cases have been described in 34 mm Hg. Re-examination of the patient (by Department of which spontaneous breathing occurs during EFMW) showed absent brain stem reflexes but Anatomic Pathology apnoea testing.3 a notable discrepancy between upper and lower and Neuropathology, We report on a patient with an isolated, tracheal stimulation and response. Up and Mayo Clinic and barely detectable, cough response and sponta- down movement of the endotracheal tube pro- Foundation, 200 First neous breathing of several days’ duration until duced no response. Deep catheter suctioning Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, Minnesota, withdrawal of support. This comatose state of the carina or mainstem bronchus elicited a USA closely mimics brain death. reproducible, but faint, cough response. This H Okazaki clinical condition persisted for 48 hours. Two Case description additional apnoea tests with roughly 12 hour Correspondence to: This patient was extracted from a car after a intervals produced similar results. The family Professor EFMWijdicks, Department of Neurology, motor vehicle accident. During transport to the decided to withdraw support and the patient Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street hospital he remained unconscious, possibly was placed on a T piece with 4 l oxygen. For an SW, Rochester, Minnesota had an apnoeic episode, developed bradycar- additional 8 hours the patient had normal res- 55905, 507–284–2511, USA [email protected] dia, and was intubated. On arrival, Glasgow piratory drive but was intermittently tachyp- coma sum score was 3, the left pupil was noeic with rates varying from 20–30/minute. Received 3 February 2000 dilated (diameter of 8 mm), fixed to light, the Oxygenation measured by pulse oxymetry and in revised form 20 May 2000 right pupil was normal size (diameter of 4 mm) remained normal. Blood pressures stabilised at Accepted 27 June 2000 with a normal light response, but oculocephalic 90–100 mm Hg systolic pressure without the www.jnnp.com 128 Wijdicks, Atkinson, Okazaki J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.70.1.127 on 1 January 2001. Downloaded from Serial macroscopical brain slices show multiple trauma induced haemorrhagic lesions in the cerebellum, thalamus, and pons but with sparing of the medulla oblongata. use of pharmacological support. Respiratory showed no intrinsic lesions save for minimal arrest within minutes occurred after extubation perivascular haemorrhages along the fourth after withdrawal of support. ventricular surface. Additionally, there was herniation of the left NEUROPATHOLOGY lateral hemispheric brain tissue through the At necropsy, there were multiple closed skull large craniotomy defect, up to 1.5 cm in height, fractures involving the bilateral parieto- accompanied by evidence of recent venous- occipital sutures, the occipital bone, the type infarction, most notable at the marginal petrous portion of the temporal bones, and the zones of the herniated tissue which had been roof of the right orbit. Superficial contusions compressed against the bony edge of the crani- were noted in the ventral surfaces of the frontal otomy defect. There were no residual epidural lobes; the anterior, ventral, and lateral aspects or subdural haemorrhages in this area. http://jnnp.bmj.com/ of the temporal lobes; splenium; and the However, there was a large (16×9×2 cm) ventral surfaces of the cerebellar hemispheres. fresh epidural haemorrhage making a mild The lesions central to the clinical presenta- indentation of both the occipital and posterior, tion of this case were found in the rostral and particularly lateral temporal, aspects of the cer- middle brain stem constituting deep contusive ebrum. lesions (figure). There was mild shift of the cerebral midline Most rostrally, haemorrhages were found in structures from left to right. A mild bowing of the hypothalami and paramedian thalami, the paramedian cerebral cortex above the cor- on October 2, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. bilaterally and in the left lateral thalamus and pus callosum was seen and limited bilateral internal capsule. In the midbrain, smaller uncal herniation without any significant mesial haemorrhages were dispersed across the cross temporal lobe herniation, or rostral or caudal sections, whereas at the upper and midpontine compression of the midbrain or upper pons. levels, they coalesced to form a large central Histological examination showed no well confluent area measuring 3×3cmatits developed areas of axonal disruption except in maximal dimension. There was a limited the vicinity of contusion or postoperative areas rupture into the fourth ventricle. In the lower (APP and neurofilament immunostains). Eosi- pons, small haemorrhages were largely limited nophilic degeneration among scattered neocor- to the midline area. tical and hippocampal neurons was seen. Also present were haemorrhages in the inte- rior of the dorsal vermis, the white matter and Discussion dentate nuclei of both cerebellar hemispheres, Our case is unique because we document the separate from the mild cortical lesions de- presence of retained coughing with a vigorous scribed previously in the ventral surface of the stimulus, normal breathing drive and oxygena- cerebellum. tion, and normal blood pressure despite the The medulla showed only a mild extrinsic loss of other brainstem reflexes. Typically, compression of its posterolateral aspects at its medullary destruction loss is a final event in middle level by a mild tonsillar herniation but rostrocaudal herniation syndromes; however, www.jnnp.com Isolated medulla oblongata function after severe traumatic brain injury 129 J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.70.1.127 on 1 January 2001. Downloaded from its function loss may take several additional patient rather than lead to the usual expected hours to complete. In our case, progression demise of haemodynamic systems and cardiac from the initial impact did not involve medul- arrest. lary structures. Three categories of pitfalls in the diagnosis A few cases of spontaneous breathing during of brain death have been identified by Pallis the apnoea test in patients who have fulfilled all and Harley.6 These are failure to meet precon- other clinical criteria of brain death have been ditions and exclusions, diYculty with interpret- published. Notably, Ropper et al reported four ation of signs, and failure
Recommended publications
  • Distance Learning Program Anatomy of the Human Brain/Sheep Brain Dissection
    Distance Learning Program Anatomy of the Human Brain/Sheep Brain Dissection This guide is for middle and high school students participating in AIMS Anatomy of the Human Brain and Sheep Brain Dissections. Programs will be presented by an AIMS Anatomy Specialist. In this activity students will become more familiar with the anatomical structures of the human brain by observing, studying, and examining human specimens. The primary focus is on the anatomy, function, and pathology. Those students participating in Sheep Brain Dissections will have the opportunity to dissect and compare anatomical structures. At the end of this document, you will find anatomical diagrams, vocabulary review, and pre/post tests for your students. The following topics will be covered: 1. The neurons and supporting cells of the nervous system 2. Organization of the nervous system (the central and peripheral nervous systems) 4. Protective coverings of the brain 5. Brain Anatomy, including cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brain stem 6. Spinal Cord Anatomy 7. Cranial and spinal nerves Objectives: The student will be able to: 1. Define the selected terms associated with the human brain and spinal cord; 2. Identify the protective structures of the brain; 3. Identify the four lobes of the brain; 4. Explain the correlation between brain surface area, structure and brain function. 5. Discuss common neurological disorders and treatments. 6. Describe the effects of drug and alcohol on the brain. 7. Correctly label a diagram of the human brain National Science Education
    [Show full text]
  • Neuromodulation in Treatment of Hypertension by Acupuncture: a Neurophysiological Prospective
    Vol.5, No.4A, 65-72 (2013) Health http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/health.2013.54A009 Neuromodulation in treatment of hypertension by acupuncture: A neurophysiological prospective Peyman Benharash1, Wei Zhou2* 1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, USA 2Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Received 28 February 2013; revised 30 March 2013; accepted 6 April 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peyman Benharash, Wei Zhou. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT study the effects of acupuncture on the hyper- tensive man. Hypertension is a major public health problem affecting over one billion individuals worldwide. Keywords: Central Nervous System; This disease is the result of complex interac- Electroacupuncture; Neurotransmitter; Brain Stem tions between genetic and life-style factors and the central nervous system. Sympathetic hyper- activity has been postulated to be present in 1. INTRODUCTION most forms of hypertension. Pharmaceutical Hypertension has become a serious public health prob- therapy for hypertension has not been perfected, lem impacting over one billion lives worldwide [1]. At often requires a multidrug regimen, and is as- the turn of this century, 7.6 million deaths were attribut- sociated with adverse side effects. Acupuncture, able to hypertension. The majority of this disease burden a form of somatic afferent nerve stimulation has occurred in working people in low to middle-income been used to treat a host of cardiovascular dis- countries, while its prevalence increases with age and the eases such as hypertension.
    [Show full text]
  • Brainstem Dysfunction in Critically Ill Patients
    Benghanem et al. Critical Care (2020) 24:5 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-019-2718-9 REVIEW Open Access Brainstem dysfunction in critically ill patients Sarah Benghanem1,2 , Aurélien Mazeraud3,4, Eric Azabou5, Vibol Chhor6, Cassia Righy Shinotsuka7,8, Jan Claassen9, Benjamin Rohaut1,9,10† and Tarek Sharshar3,4*† Abstract The brainstem conveys sensory and motor inputs between the spinal cord and the brain, and contains nuclei of the cranial nerves. It controls the sleep-wake cycle and vital functions via the ascending reticular activating system and the autonomic nuclei, respectively. Brainstem dysfunction may lead to sensory and motor deficits, cranial nerve palsies, impairment of consciousness, dysautonomia, and respiratory failure. The brainstem is prone to various primary and secondary insults, resulting in acute or chronic dysfunction. Of particular importance for characterizing brainstem dysfunction and identifying the underlying etiology are a detailed clinical examination, MRI, neurophysiologic tests such as brainstem auditory evoked potentials, and an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. Detection of brainstem dysfunction is challenging but of utmost importance in comatose and deeply sedated patients both to guide therapy and to support outcome prediction. In the present review, we summarize the neuroanatomy, clinical syndromes, and diagnostic techniques of critical illness-associated brainstem dysfunction for the critical care setting. Keywords: Brainstem dysfunction, Brain injured patients, Intensive care unit, Sedation, Brainstem
    [Show full text]
  • Isolated Necrosis of Central Tegmental Tracts Due to Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: MRI Findings
    Journal of Neurology & Stroke Case Report Open Access Isolated necrosis of central tegmental tracts due to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: MRI findings Abstract Volume 11 Issue 1 - 2021 Perinatal hypoxia is an old entity that still prevails today and may lead to neurological Tomás de Andrade Lourenção Freddi, Luiz sequelae that can go unnoticed until a certain age, generating many costs for public health. In this case report, we demonstrate on magnetic resonance imaging an unusual pattern of Fellipe Curvêlo Ciraulo Santos, Nelson Paes perinatal hypoxia in a preterm 5-month-old infant, involving the central tegmental tracts Fortes Diniz Ferreira, Felipe Diego Gomes and briefly discuss its possible pathophysiology. Dantas Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração, Brazil Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging, asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, tegmentum, neonates, brainstem Correspondence: Tomás de Andrade Lourenção Freddi, Hospital do Coração, 147 Desembargador Eliseu Guilherme Street, São Paulo, SP, 04004-030, Brazil, Tel +5511976059280, Email Received: May 25, 2020 | Published: Febrauary 15, 2021 Abbreviations: MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; HII, that connect the red nucleus and the inferior olivary nucleus, being hypoxic-ischemic injury; FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; part of the dentato-rubro-olivary system, called Guillain–Mollaret CTT, central tegmental tract; VGB, vigabatrin triangle.3–5 Introduction Hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) is one of the most important causes of encephalopathy in neonates, irrespective of gestational age, and may occur in the uterus or during delivery by different intrapartum conditions. In preterm or very low birth weight infants, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate multiple different findings, which a detailed description is beyond the scope of this article, although being periventricular leukomalacia the most frequent (seen in at least 50% of cases).
    [Show full text]
  • Brain Anatomy
    BRAIN ANATOMY Adapted from Human Anatomy & Physiology by Marieb and Hoehn (9th ed.) The anatomy of the brain is often discussed in terms of either the embryonic scheme or the medical scheme. The embryonic scheme focuses on developmental pathways and names regions based on embryonic origins. The medical scheme focuses on the layout of the adult brain and names regions based on location and functionality. For this laboratory, we will consider the brain in terms of the medical scheme (Figure 1): Figure 1: General anatomy of the human brain Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 9th ed.) – Figure 12.2 CEREBRUM: Divided into two hemispheres, the cerebrum is the largest region of the human brain – the two hemispheres together account for ~ 85% of total brain mass. The cerebrum forms the superior part of the brain, covering and obscuring the diencephalon and brain stem similar to the way a mushroom cap covers the top of its stalk. Elevated ridges of tissue, called gyri (singular: gyrus), separated by shallow groves called sulci (singular: sulcus) mark nearly the entire surface of the cerebral hemispheres. Deeper groves, called fissures, separate large regions of the brain. Much of the cerebrum is involved in the processing of somatic sensory and motor information as well as all conscious thoughts and intellectual functions. The outer cortex of the cerebrum is composed of gray matter – billions of neuron cell bodies and unmyelinated axons arranged in six discrete layers. Although only 2 – 4 mm thick, this region accounts for ~ 40% of total brain mass. The inner region is composed of white matter – tracts of myelinated axons.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heart Side of Brain Neuromodulation
    The heart side of brain neuromodulation rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org Simone Rossi1, Emiliano Santarnecchi1,2, Gaetano Valenza3,4,5 and Monica Ulivelli1 Review 1Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Brain Investigation and Cite this article: Rossi S, Santarnecchi E, Neuromodulation Lab. (Si-BIN Lab.), Azienda Ospedaliera Valenza G, Ulivelli M. 2016 The heart side of Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy Phil.Trans.R.Soc.A brain neuromodulation. 2Berenson–Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, 374:20150187. Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2015.0187 Boston, MA 02215, USA 3Department of Information Engineering, and Research Center Accepted: 11 January 2016 E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy 4Neuroscience Statistics Research Lab, Harvard Medical School, One contribution of 16 to a theme issue Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA ‘Uncovering brain–heart information through 5Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA advanced signal and image processing’. SR, 0000-0001-6697-9459 Subject Areas: biomedical engineering Neuromodulation refers to invasive, minimally invasive or non-invasive techniques to stimulate Keywords: discrete cortical or subcortical brain regions with deep brain stimulation, vagal nerve therapeutic purposes in otherwise intractable patients: for example, thousands of advanced Parkinsonian stimulation, repetitive transcranial
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Architecture in the Medulla Oblongata of the Adult African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys Gambianus, Waterhouse - 1840)
    Int. J. Morphol., 29(2):382-388, 2011. Nuclear Architecture in the Medulla Oblongata of the Adult African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse - 1840) Arquitectura Nuclear en la Médula Oblonga de la Rata Gigante de Carillos Africana Adulta (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse - 1840) *Ibe, C. S; *Onyeanusi, B. I.; *Hambolu, J. O. & **Ayo, J. O. IBE, C. S.; ONYEANUSI, B. I.; HAMBOLU, J. O. & AYO, J. O. Nuclear architecture in the medulla oblongata of the adult African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse - 1840). Int. J. Morphol., 29(2):382-388, 2011. SUMMARY: The architecture of cranial and non-cranial nerve nuclei in the medulla oblongata of the African giant pouched rat was studied by means of light microscopy. Serial sections of the medulla oblongata, in coronal and saggital planes, were stained with the cresyl fast violet and silver stains, respectively. Sections in the saggital plane were used as a guide, while coronal sections were used to identify the nuclei in the rostrocaudal extent of the medulla oblongata. With the obex serving as the landmark, nuclei rostral and caudal to the obex were delineated. Cranial nerve nuclei whose architecture were defined were the motor nucleus of hypoglossal nerve, motor nucleus of vagus nerve, cochlear nucleus, vestibular nucleus and nucleus ambiguus, while non-cranial nerve nuclei identified were the olivary nucleus, solitary tract nucleus, gracile nucleus, cuneate nucleus, spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve, motor nucleus of corpus trapezoideum, lateral nucleus of reticular formation and gigantocellular nucleus. The olivary nucleus was the most prominent nucleus, while the solitary tract nucleus was faint, and thus, less developed.
    [Show full text]
  • Chiari Malformation in Adults: Relation of J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: First Published As 10.1136/Jnnp.56.10.1072 on 1 October 1993
    107212ournal ofNeurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 1993;56:1072-1077 Chiari malformation in adults: relation of J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.56.10.1072 on 1 October 1993. Downloaded from morphological aspects to clinical features and operative outcome J M Stevens, W A D Serva, B E Kendall, A R Valentine, J R Ponsford Abstract headache and neck pain, and those most To determine whether clinical features refractory were often ataxia and nystagmus. attributed to cerebellar ectopia could be Clearly not all patients with the adult related to the severity of the malforma- Chiari malformation benefit from operation. tion, and if morphological features could Attempts at risk stratification have been be related to operative outcome, a retro- made, and recently a careful study by spective study of 141 patients with the Menezes' group14 established three preopera- adult Chiari malformation was carried tive clinical features predictive of a poor oper- out, 81 receiving operative treatment. ative outcome-namely, ataxia, scoliosis, and Morphological parameters derived from muscle atrophy. Attempts at relating the preoperative clinical imaging were com- severity of the Chiari lesion to individual clin- pared with presenting clinical features ical features or syndromes have been few and and postoperative outcomes. Patients some of the conclusions conflicting.15-'7 There with the most severe cerebellar malfor- has been no formal attempt at operative risk mation, defined as descent of the cere- stratification based on morphological fea- bellar tonsils to or below the axis, had tures. disabling ataxia and nystagmus more The present study was begun several years frequently.
    [Show full text]
  • Imaging Features of Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration
    Van Eetvelde, R et al 2016 Imaging Features of Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration. Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology, 100(1): 71, pp. 1–6, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/jbr-btr.1065 REVIEW ARTICLE Imaging Features of Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration Ruth Van Eetvelde*, M. Lemmerling†, T. Backaert‡, N. Favoreel§, B. Geerts‖, C. Sommeling‖, D. Hemelsoet‖ and S. Dekeyzer¶ Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is a unique form of transneuronal degeneration caused by a disruption of the dentato-rubro-olivary pathway, also known as the triangle of Guillain-Mollaret. The triangle of Guillain-Mollaret is involved in fine voluntary motor control and consists of both the inferior olivary nucleus and the red nucleus on one side and the contralateral dentate nucleus. Clinically, patients classically present with symptomatic palatal myoclonus. Typical magnetic resonance imaging findings include T2-hyperintensity and enlargement of the inferior olivary nucleus evolving over time to atrophy with residual T2-hyperintensity. In this article, we provide a case-based illustration of the anatomy of the Guillain-Mollaret-triangle and the typical imaging findings of hypertrophic olivary degeneration. Keywords: Hypertrophic olivary degeneration Introduction on diffusion-weighted imaging. Based on the clinical Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is usually caused symptoms and radiologic findings, a diagnosis of HOD was by a lesion along the dentate-rubro-olivary pathway, also made. The etiology for this case remains unknown since no known as the anatomic triangle of Guillain-Mollaret. The history of infarction, hemorrhage, tumor, or trauma was classical clinical presentation consists of palatal myo- present. clonus. HOD can also be an incidental imaging finding in asymptomatic patients.
    [Show full text]
  • LECTURE ( 9 ) Done By: Wael Al Saleh
    LECTURE ( 9 ) Done by: Wael Al Saleh Reviewed by:Leena alYahya If there is any mistake please feel free to contact us: [email protected] Both - Black Male Notes - BLUE Female Notes - GREEN Explanation and additional notes - ORANGE Very Important note - Red Objectives: Distinguish the internal structure of the components of the brain stem in different levels and the specific criteria of each level: a. Medulla oblongata (closed, mid and open medulla) b. Pons (caudal and rostral). c. Mid brain (superior and inferior colliculi). Describe the Reticular formation (structure, function and pathway) being an important content of the brain stem. A) MEDULLA 1) CLOSED " Caudal " 2) mid medulla 3) Open " rostral " MEDULLA components: medulla Components Components: : A- Tranvered by A- Tranvered by A- Its dorsal surface central canal central canal forms the lower part of the fourth ventricle. B- motor B- Large size gracile B- The Inferior pyramidal & cuneate nuclei, Cerebellar Peduncle decussation their axons form is dorsolateral in internal arcuate position. fibers. C- Spinal nucleus C- Pyramids are C- Inferior Olivary of trigeminal prominent. Nucleus nerve. "Trigeminal sensory nucleus" D- sensory D- Medial decussation which longitudinal is formed by fasciculus. crossed internal arcuate fibers. Now we will explain in more details each part and its main components: 1- Closed medulla: IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURE: A) Spinal Nucleus of Trigeminal nerve: It is a larger sensory nucleus. It is the brain stem continuation of the Substantia Gelatinosa of spinal cord. It lies in all levels Medulla Oblongata , medial to the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve. Extends through the whole length of the brain stem and into upper segments of spinal cord.
    [Show full text]
  • Annals of Behavioral Neuroscience Symmetrical Central Tegmental Tract Hyperintensity on T2-Weighted Images in Pediatrics: a Systematic Review
    ISSN: 2638-9231 Research Article Annals of Behavioral Neuroscience Symmetrical Central Tegmental Tract Hyperintensity on T2-weighted Images in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review Mallio CA1*, Van Goethem J2, De Bondt T2, van den Hauwe L2, Beomonte Zobel B1, Quattrocchi CC1 and Parizel PM2 1Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Integrated Research, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy 2Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium *Correspondence: Carlo Augusto Mallio, Center for Integrated Research, University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy, Tel: +39-06-225411708; Fax: +39-06-22541456; E-mail: [email protected] Received: August 08, 2018; Accepted: September 20, 2018; Published: September 25, 2018 Abstract Purpose: The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic literature review of the current evidence about the Central Tegmental Tract Hyperintensity (CTTH). Methods: The literature search was performed on December 2017 using Medline PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central databases. Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-square and the Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Twenty publications were included. Of these, 11 were retrospective studies and 9 were case reports. In total, CTTH was reported in 226 cases. The age parameter showed a significantly non-Gaussian distribution (KS test; p-value < 0.001). The median age was 1,83 years (range: 7 days – 21 years; P25 = 1.00 year, P75 = 3.00 years; IQR = 2 years). The two most common clinical conditions associated to CTTH were cerebral palsy (51 cases; 22.6%) and glutaric aciduria type 1 (50 cases; 22.10%).
    [Show full text]
  • THE CENTRAL TEGMENTAL BUNDLE I N the Brainstem of Higher
    THE CENTRAL TEGMENTAL BUNDLE AN ANATOMICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN THE MONKFAY JOSE BEBIN‘ Laboratory of Comparative Neurology, Department of Anatomy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor THREE FIGURES INTRODUCTION In the brainstem of higher mammals there exists a very con- spicuous and important tract linking the diensephalon to the inferior olivary nucleus. This system, that reaches its highest development in primates and man, was described for the first time by von Bechterew (1885) who called it “centrale Hauben- bahn” indicating its origin and termination. It is a fact, however, that nowadays the origin of this system is the object of discussion and controversy among anatomists. This is the reason we prefer to use the name “central tegmental bundle” because the name does not imply any specific origin or termination and yet, nevertheless, emphasizes a most important relation of the tract, that is, that it courses through the central portion of the tegmentum of the brainstem. For many years, only its anatomical structure and relations attracted the attention of investigators, but its functional ac- tivity and its clinical signifkance met with little interest. Foix et al. (’26) established a direct relationship between a lesion of this system at pons levels (with the consequent degeneration of the inferior olive) and a curious syndrome called palatal nystagmus or palatal myoclonus. The work of Foix et al. inaugurated a fruitful period of clinico-anatom- * Present address: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Michigan. 1953. 287 288 JOSE BEBIN ical studies upon the central tegmental bundle and the syn- drome of palatal nystagmus.
    [Show full text]