Hemiplegia alternans

Alternative hemiplegia is a type of central paralysis caused by damage to the brainstem. It is manifested by contralateral hemiplegia (caused by a disorder of the corticospinal pathway before crossing) and a homolateral disorder of one of the cranial nerves. Individual hemiplegias are divided according to the place of damage.

Hemiplegia alternans superior (Weber syndrome)
It is caused by a lesion of the mesencephalus. The oculomotor nerve (N. III.) Is damaged from the cranial nerves. Ipsilateral or homolateral paresis occurs. It is manifested by ptosis, divergent strabismus , mydriasis and photoreaction disorder. Disruption of the pyramidal pathway results in contralateral hemiplegia.

Hemiplegia alternans media (Millard-Gubler syndrome)
This type of fault damages the Varol bridge. It is manifested by homolateral peripheral paresis of the facial nerve (N. VII.) And also by contralateral hemiplegia.

Hemiplegia alternans inferior (Déjerine syndrome)
It occurs during an lesion of the elongated spinal cord. It is manifested by paresis of the hypoglossus nerve (N. XII.), Which is ipsilateral. Symptoms include impaired tongue movement, atrophy, and tongue fibrillation. There is also contralateral hemiplegia with impaired sensitivity.

Links

 * ws:Hemiplegie alternans

Related articles

 * Plegia
 * Hemiplegia
 * Tractus corticospinalis
 * Tractus corticonuclearis