Benedikt syndrome

Benedikt syndrome is a brain stem syndrome, in which a localized tissue damage in the area of ​​the midbrain, with partial destruction of the red nucleus and substantia nigra as well as interruption of the medial lemniscus and the root fibers of the oculomotor nerve causes a complex symptom picture.

The eponym honors the Austrian neurologist Moritz Benedikt.

Semiology

How many brainstem syndromes combines the Benedict - Sydrom cranial nerve deficits on the side of the lesion (ipsilateral ), in this case, a third nerve palsy, with functional disorders of the opposite ( contralateral ) side of the body by affecting the long tracks. The eye on the side of the injury differs as a result of third nerve palsy outward from below, the pupil is wide and immobile and the lid can hang (ptosis ). Thus, the affected person will see double images. Contralateral side, there is a sensory disturbance and disturbance of the motion sequence, with elements of Parkinson's disease ( substantia nigra), mostly as rigors, and hyperkinesia in the manner of a chorea or athetosis ( red nucleus ) are combined. The pyramidal tract is typically not included. A classic Benedikt syndrome is rare, usually it is incomplete prior to or in combination with other deficits. The transitions to Weber syndrome are flowing, and bilateral lesions do occur.

Causes

Cause of Benedikt syndrome is usually a brainstem infarction by occlusion of a branch ( ramus interpeduncularis ) of the posterior cerebral artery or the posterior choroidal artery. It is also possible any other localized damage in this area, for example, bleeding or inflammatory stove.

Swell

• Mathias Baehr, Michael Frotscher: Duus ' Neurological topical diagnosis. Thieme, Stuttgart, 2003. ISBN 3-13-535808-9.

• Brainstem syndrome