Penetrating artery territory pontine infarction

Rev Neurol Dis. 2011;8(1-2):30-8.

Abstract

Pontine infarcts account for 25% of lacunar strokes. The primary morphologies are wedge-shaped tegmental, basal, and tegmentobasal infarcts, caused by disease of the paramedian basilar branches, and smaller, circumscribed lacunar infarcts attributed to lipohyalinosis. Roughly 60% of infarcts are paramedian. Both typical and atypical lacunar syndromes are seen with pontine infarcts, pure motor hemiparesis being the most common, followed by sensorimotor stroke and ataxic hemiparesis. Eye movement abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits are also commonly seen. Short-term functional prognosis is usually good with lacunar morphology; rostral, lateral or tegmental locations predict a more favorable prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basilar Artery / pathology*
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / complications
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / pathology*
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / physiopathology
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Leukoaraiosis / complications
  • Leukoaraiosis / pathology
  • Leukoaraiosis / physiopathology
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Pons / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Stroke, Lacunar / complications
  • Stroke, Lacunar / pathology*
  • Stroke, Lacunar / physiopathology
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali / pathology