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Pontine and Midbrain Infarction - Case 1

A 68 year-old woman developed the abrupt onset of double vision and slurred speech. Shortly afterward, she became quadriplegic and lapsed into a coma.

Outline the Infarction

Pontine and Midbrain Infarction: Flair axial MRI at the level of the pons (left) and midbrain (right). Note the area of infarction involving the entire pons and midbrain. This infarct is in the territory of the main basilar artery. The cerebellum is spared, presumably due to collateral flow from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), and the superior cerebellar artery (SCA). This scenario can result from either intrinsic basilar artery disease or an embolus to the basilar artery.

Revised 11/23/06
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston