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Surgical Neurology Sep 1986A unique case of pontine hydatid cyst is reported. Diagnosis was considered preoperatively on the basis of computed tomographic findings. Needle aspiration and removal...
A unique case of pontine hydatid cyst is reported. Diagnosis was considered preoperatively on the basis of computed tomographic findings. Needle aspiration and removal of the endocyst were performed through the floor of the fourth ventricle. Postoperative death was due to widespread hemorrhagic infarction of the brainstem. Possible involved mechanisms are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Echinococcosis; Humans; Male; Pons; Radiography
PubMed: 3738727
DOI: 10.1016/0090-3019(86)90166-7 -
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Nov 2004The dorsolateral pons around the parabrachial nucleus is an important participant in respiratory control. This area involves various respiration-related neurons, and... (Review)
Review
The dorsolateral pons around the parabrachial nucleus is an important participant in respiratory control. This area involves various respiration-related neurons, and their respiratory modulation is thought to arise from afferents from medullary respiratory neurons. Today, however, only a limited number of afferent sources have been identified. First, relatively well-characterized afferents to the pons are those originating from two types of the lung stretch receptors, slowly adapting and rapidly adapting receptors. That is, the majority of the second-order relay neurons of these receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii project to the pons. Second, certain types of respiratory neurons of the medullary respiratory groups are either known to or presumed to project to the pons. For instance, major inhibitory neurons of the Botzinger complex, augmenting and decrementing expiratory neurons, send afferents to the pons. This article overviews such afferents and discusses their connectivity with pontine neurons.
Topics: Afferent Pathways; Animals; Neural Networks, Computer; Neurons; Pons; Pulmonary Stretch Receptors; Respiration
PubMed: 15519553
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2004.03.017 -
The Journal of Comparative Neurology Feb 2015Despite its critical importance to global brain function, the postnatal development of the human pons remains poorly understood. In the present study, we first performed...
Despite its critical importance to global brain function, the postnatal development of the human pons remains poorly understood. In the present study, we first performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based morphometric analyses of the postnatal human pons (0-18 years; n = 6-14/timepoint). Pons volume increased 6-fold from birth to 5 years, followed by continued slower growth throughout childhood. The observed growth was primarily due to expansion of the basis pontis. T2-based MRI analysis suggests that this growth is linked to increased myelination, and histological analysis of myelin basic protein in human postmortem specimens confirmed a dramatic increase in myelination during infancy. Analysis of cellular proliferation revealed many Ki67(+) cells during the first 7 months of life, particularly during the first month, where proliferation was increased in the basis relative to tegmentum. The majority of proliferative cells in the postnatal pons expressed the transcription factor Olig2, suggesting an oligodendrocyte lineage. The proportion of proliferating cells that were Olig2(+) was similar through the first 7 months of life and between basis and tegmentum. The number of Ki67(+) cells declined dramatically from birth to 7 months and further decreased by 3 years, with a small number of Ki67(+) cells observed throughout childhood. In addition, two populations of vimentin/nestin-expressing cells were identified: a dorsal group near the ventricular surface, which persists throughout childhood, and a parenchymal population that diminishes by 7 months and was not evident later in childhood. Together, our data reveal remarkable postnatal growth in the ventral pons, particularly during infancy when cells are most proliferative and myelination increases.
Topics: Adolescent; Analysis of Variance; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Cell Proliferation; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Ki-67 Antigen; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; Pons
PubMed: 25307966
DOI: 10.1002/cne.23690 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Dec 2023Access to the anterolateral pontine lesions can be achieved through the peritrigeminal and supratrigeminal safe entry zones using Kawase, retrosigmoid, or...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Access to the anterolateral pontine lesions can be achieved through the peritrigeminal and supratrigeminal safe entry zones using Kawase, retrosigmoid, or translabyrinthine approaches. However, these approaches entail shallow extensive dissection, tangential access, and compromise vestibulocochlear function. We aimed to investigate infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach to access pontine lesions through the peritrigeminal zone.
METHODS
We performed 10 presigmoid retrolabyrinthine suprameatal approach dissections in 5 cadaveric heads. Anatomic-radiological characteristics and variations were evaluated. Six morphometric parameters were measured and analyzed to predict surgical accessibility.
RESULTS
The pontine infratrigeminal area was accessible in all patients. The mean exposed area of the anterolateral pontine surface was 98.95 cm 2 (±38.11 cm 2 ). The mean length of the exposed trigeminal nerve was 7.9 cm (±2.9 cm). Preoperative anatomic-radiological parameters may allow to select patients with favorable anatomy that offers appropriate surgical accessibility to the anterior pontine cavernoma through a presigmoid retrolabyrinthine corridor.
CONCLUSION
Anterolateral pontine lesions can be accessed through a minimally invasive infratentorial presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach by targeting the infratrigeminal safe entry zone. Further clinical studies should be conducted to evaluate the viability of this technique for treating these complex pathologies in real clinical settings.
Topics: Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Pons; Trigeminal Nerve; Microsurgery; Cadaver
PubMed: 37578224
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000866 -
Hellenic Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019We aimed to evaluate the association between the availability of serotonin transporter (SERT) measured by ioflupane-DaTSCAN (I-FP-CIT) and imaged by single photon...
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the association between the availability of serotonin transporter (SERT) measured by ioflupane-DaTSCAN (I-FP-CIT) and imaged by single photon emission tomography (SPET) and memory function in healthy subjects.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Specific binding of I-FP-CIT indicating SERT was achieved using a region of interest analysis. Spherical volumes of interest for midbrain and pons were defined. The cerebellum was chosen as a reference region. Specific binding ratios (SBR) in midbrain and pons representing SERT availability were measured as follows: SBR=(target-cerebellum)/cerebellum. A hundred and eighty-one healthy subjects (117 male, 64 female) were included in this study.
RESULTS
Specific binding ratios of both midbrain (P=0.025) and pons (P=0.006) of males was higher than that of females. None of the SBR showed a correlation with age both in males: (midbrain; P=0.736, pons; P=0.875) and in females (midbrain; P=0.294, pons; P=0.170). In all our cases, SERT availability of midbrain correlated positively with total recall score (rho=0.159, P=0.033), and delayed recall score (rho=0.149, P=0.046). In females, the correlation between SERT availability in midbrain and delayed recall score was significant (rho=0.320, P=0.010), however, not in males (rho=0.112, P=0.229).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we demonstrated that SERT availability was associated with memory function in healthy females from the PPMI database. Further studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.
Topics: Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Memory; Mesencephalon; Middle Aged; Pons; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Tropanes
PubMed: 31587029
DOI: 10.1967/s002449911055 -
Acta Neurochirurgica Jun 2021Removal of a pontine cavernous malformation requires sufficient exposure since any restriction on surgical freedom may lead to suboptimal visualization of the lesion,...
BACKGROUND
Removal of a pontine cavernous malformation requires sufficient exposure since any restriction on surgical freedom may lead to suboptimal visualization of the lesion, injury to the brainstem, and neurological catastrophe.
METHODS
We describe and demonstrate the subtemporal transtentorial approach to a cavernous malformation of the upper pons, with emphasis on adequate surgical exposure while avoiding the need for extensive bone removal of the skull base.
CONCLUSIONS
The meticulous technique is paramount to the successful removal of any brainstem cavernous malformation. Along with the surgical exposure, delicate handling of the malformation is demonstrated in the accompanying operative video.
Topics: Blood Vessels; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurosurgical Procedures; Pons
PubMed: 32562122
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-020-04457-9 -
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology Nov 2004The generation and shaping of the respiratory motor pattern are performed in the lower brainstem and involve neuronal interactions within the medulla and between the... (Review)
Review
The generation and shaping of the respiratory motor pattern are performed in the lower brainstem and involve neuronal interactions within the medulla and between the medulla and pons. A computational model of the ponto-medullary respiratory network has been developed by incorporating existing experimental data on the medullary neural circuits and possible interactions between the medulla and pons. The model reproduces a number of experimental findings concerning alterations of the respiratory pattern following various perturbations/stimulations applied to the pons and pulmonary afferents. The results of modeling support the concept that eupneic respiratory rhythm generation requires contribution of the pons whereas a gasping-like rhythm (and the rhythm observed in vitro) may be generated within the medulla and involve pacemaker-driven mechanisms localized within the medullary pre-Botzinger Complex. The model and experimental data described support the concept that during eupnea the respiration-related pontine structures control the medullary network mechanisms for respiratory phase transitions, suppress the intrinsic pacemaker-driven oscillations in the pre-BotC and provide inspiration-inhibitory and expiration-facilitatory reflexes which are independent of the pulmonary Hering-Breuer reflex but operate through the same medullary phase switching circuits.
Topics: Animals; Computer Simulation; Electric Stimulation; Humans; Medulla Oblongata; Nerve Net; Neural Networks, Computer; Neurons; Pons; Respiration; Vagotomy
PubMed: 15519563
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2004.03.020 -
La Radiologia Medica Sep 1999
Review
Topics: Aphasia; Brain Ischemia; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Pons
PubMed: 10575453
DOI: No ID Found -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Oct 2004To examine the ultrasonographic feasibility of imaging the fetal pons and to construct a reference chart for its normal development during gestation.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the ultrasonographic feasibility of imaging the fetal pons and to construct a reference chart for its normal development during gestation.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, prospective study on 293 healthy fetuses of low-risk pregnancies between 19 and 34 weeks was performed. The transfontanel approach, via the abdominal or vaginal routes, was used to evaluate the fetal metencephalon (pons and cerebellum). The anteroposterior diameter of the fetal pons was measured in a mid-sagittal plane. The longitudinal diameter of the cerebellar vermis was measured at the same plane and the vermis-pons ratio (VPR) was established.
RESULTS
One hundred and forty-four fetuses were in vertex position. In 140 (97.2%) satisfactory visualization and measurements of the pons and cerebellar vermis were obtained. One hundred and forty-nine fetuses were breech presentations and measurements were successfully performed in 147 (98.6%). The pons anteroposterior and vermis longitudinal diameters showed a linear correlation with gestational age (GA) (r = 0.95 for both measurements; P < 0.001). The mean VPR was 1.5 (+/-0.1 SD) and did not change in the gestational interval that was considered.
CONCLUSION
By using the transfontanel approach, evaluation of the fetal pons is feasible via the mid-sagittal plane. The nomograms developed and the ratio to fetal vermis provides reference data that may be helpful when evaluating anomalies of the brainstem.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Feasibility Studies; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Pons; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 15459939
DOI: 10.1002/uog.1731 -
Current Neurology and Neuroscience... Jul 2014Over the past several decades, the neural mechanisms underlying REM sleep have become increasingly understood. A more detailed understanding of the respective roles of... (Review)
Review
Over the past several decades, the neural mechanisms underlying REM sleep have become increasingly understood. A more detailed understanding of the respective roles of the pontine nuclei in the generation of REM sleep and its related phenomenon has allowed for the recognition of specific effects that brainstem lesions have on sleep. In humans, however, the effects of such lesions are limited to case reports and small case series. This article offers a comprehensive review of the basic neurobiology of REM sleep. In addition, we discuss specific clinical effects that various pontine lesions have with regard to REM sleep and the spectrum of clinical sleep disorders characterized by abnormalities in REM-related phenomena. We review the existing literature detailing the interactions between clinical sleep manifestations and brainstem pathology.
Topics: Humans; Models, Neurological; Narcolepsy; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pons; Sleep, REM
PubMed: 24828197
DOI: 10.1007/s11910-014-0460-x