Mechanism of Medullary Infarction Based on Arterial Territory Involvement.
- Author:
Kyoungsub KIM
1
;
Hye Sun LEE
;
Yo Han JUNG
;
Young Dae KIM
;
Hyo Suk NAM
;
Chung Mo NAM
;
Seung Min KIM
;
Ji Hoe HEO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: cerebral infarction; MRI; medulla oblongata
- MeSH: Atherosclerosis; Brain Stem; Cerebral Infarction; Constriction, Pathologic; Humans; Infarction; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medulla Oblongata; Stroke; Stroke, Lacunar; Vertebral Artery; Vertebral Artery Dissection
- From:Journal of Clinical Neurology 2012;8(2):116-122
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The blood supply to the medulla oblongata is distinct from that of other areas of the brainstem, and thus the mechanism underlying medullary infarctions may be distinct. However, few studies have investigated this. METHODS: Of 3833 stroke patients who were on the stroke registry between February 1999 and April 2008, those with medullary infarctions demonstrated on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled. We analyzed the topography, the involved arterial territories, and the etiologic mechanisms of the lesions. RESULTS: In total, 142 patients were enrolled in the study. Bilateral medullary infarctions were rare (2.2%). Lesions involving the anteromedial or lateral territories were common in the upper medulla oblongata, whereas lateral territorial involvements were common in the middle and lower regions of the medulla oblongata. Significant stenosis (>50%) or occlusion of the vertebral artery was common (52.2%). Among stroke subtypes, large-artery atherosclerosis was most common (34.5%), while lacunae and cardioembolism were rare (3.5% and 4.2%, respectively). Vertebral artery dissection was frequent. The stroke mechanisms differed with the involved vascular territories. Large-artery atherosclerosis produced lesions in the lateral, anteromedial, and posterior territories. None of the cardioembolisms or other etiologies involved anteromedial or anterolateral territories, but all involved the lateral and/or posterior territories. Lacunar infarction was found only in the anteromedial and anterolateral territories. CONCLUSIONS: The topography and mechanisms of infarctions involving the medulla oblongata are different with the involved arterial territories. These findings may be associated with the distinct pattern of arterial supply to the medulla oblongata.
