MEDIAL INFERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME

(FOVILLE’S SYNDROME)

BY

ANIEDU UGOCHUCKWU I.

B.SC , MD(IN VIEW)

CONTENT

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CAUSE OF THE SYNDROME

3. RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH

SYNDROME

4. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND

SRUCTURES AFFECTED

5. TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS

6. 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 ofthe 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