The cerebellopontine angle syndrome

Brain - description

The cerebrospinal angle is the space between the cerebellum and the pons, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and is a very common site of vestibular schwannoma. Expansion in that area accounts for 10% of all intracranial tumors and causes a set of symptoms we call pontocerebellar angle syndrome.

Content of the pontine angle

  • cranial nerves: n. facialis, n. vestibulocochlearis
  • flocculus
  • lateral recess of the fourth cerebral ventricle

Symptoms

  • cerebellar syndrome
  • peripheral paresis of VII.
  • ipsilateral impairment of the corneal reflex
  • balance disorders
    Vestibular schwannoma
  • hypacus
  • tinnitus
  • vertigo
  • nystagmus
  • diplopia

Causes

  • schwanoma n. VIII.
  • meningioma
  • epidermoid
  • cerebellar astrocytoma
  • glomus jugulare
  • Cerebellum
    metastases

Reference

  • LARNER, Andrew J.. A-Z of Neurological Practice : A Guide to Clinical Neurology. 2nd edition. 2011. ISBN 978-1-84882-994-7.