Brainstem Patho

Question 1

CN III and IV

Answer 1

Emerge from midbrain

Prone to compression

Eye movements, abnormal pupil size, poor reactivity to light

Question 2

Ventral pons

Answer 2

Relay nuclei for fibers projecting from cortex to cerebellum

CST and CBT

Question 3

Medulla

Answer 3

CN IX-XII

Crossing of DC and CST

Question 4

Involvement of RF

Answer 4

Impaired alertness/arousal 
Impaired sleep
Respiratory irregularities
Cardiac irregularities
BP irregularities

Question 5

S/S of small tumors in BS

Answer 5

Gait disturbance
Diplopia
Weakness
HA
Committing
CN dysfunction

Eventually can be devastating and lead to death

Question 6

Parinauds sydrome (dorsal midbrain)

Answer 6

Dorsal midbrain and pretectal area

Impaired upward gaze
Impaired convergence
Large, irregular pupils
Eyelid abnormalities

Question 7

SCA syndrome

Answer 7

Dorsolateral upper/rostrum pons

Ipsilateral ataxia
Dysmetria or dysarthria

Question 8

AICA syndrome

Answer 8

Lateral lower/caudal pons

Ipsilateral ataxia
N/V
Loss of pain/temp ipsilateral face
Loss pain/temp contralateral extremeities
Ipsilateral horners (+hearing loss, facial weak)

Question 9

Brainstem manage

Answer 9

Equaipment/ortho eval
Functional training
Gait training
Balance and cord training
Family training