MEDIAL INFERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME (FOVILLE’S SYNDROME)

BYOHONSI CORNELIUS

ANIEDU UGOCHUCKWU I.

NDENECHO HILDA SIRRI (GROUP 8)

CONTENT

1. INTRODUCTION2. CAUSE OF THE SYNDROME3. RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH

SYNDROME4. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND

SRUCTURES AFFECTED5. TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS6. CONCLUSION

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.

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.

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SYNDROME

Age. Hypertension. Alcohol abuse. Diabetes mellitus Drug abuse. Obesity and physical inactivity. Smoking.

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

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.

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.

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

REFERENCES Larner, A.J et al A-Z of neurological practice.

Cambridge Uni. Press 2nd 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