MEDIAL INFERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME

A brief presentation on medial inferior pontine syndrome

1. MEDIAL INFERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME (FOVILLE’S SYNDROME ) BY ANIEDU UGOCHUCKWU I. B.Sc , MD(In view)

2. CONTENT INTRODUCTION CAUSE OF THE SYNDROME RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SYNDROME CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND SRUCTURES AFFECTED TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION Medial inferior pontine syndrome or Foville's syndrome was initially described by  Achille -Louis-François Foville , a French physician, in 1859 . This syndrome is associated with the region of the brainstem known as the pons.

4. CAUSE OF THE SYNDROME Medial Inferior Pontine Syndrome or Foville’s syndrome results from the occlusion of the paramedian or pontine branches of the basilar artery.

5. RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SYNDROME Age. Hypertension. Alcohol abuse . Diabetes mellitus Drug abuse . Obesity and physical inactivity. Smoking .

6. Clinical presentations and structures affected AFFECTED STRUCTURES CLINICAL PRESENTATION Cortocospinal Tract Contralateral spastic hemisparesis of the body Medial Lemniscus Contralateral loss of tactile sensation and vibration sensation from the trunk and extremities. Abducens Nerve Roots( infra-axial fibers) Ipsilateral lateral rectus paralysis

7. Vascular lesions of the caudal pons at the level of the abducent nucleus of the cranial nerve CN VII( abducent nerve) A- Medial inferior pontine syndrome.

8. Prevention and Treatment Basically, Aspirin reduces mortality and stroke occurrence following this syndrome. In acute conditions, nursing the patient in a dedicated stroke unit, rather than a general medical ward is associated with a better outcome. Secondary prophylaxis include the control of the risk factors associated with the syndrome.

9. conclusion The favorable outcome may be related to the level of the pontine lesion, which influences the effect on the corticospinal tract, medial lemniscus and the abducen nerve root

10. References Larner , A.J et al A-Z of neurological practice. Cambridge Uni. Press 2 nd Ed. 2011. pg 814 Gubitz , G and Sandercock , P. Acute Ischemic Stroke. British medical Journal 2000; 300: 692-696 http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foville's_syndrome http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medial_lemniscus http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medial_pontine_syndrome