Vascular dorsal midbrain syndrome

Abstract

The authors report the clinical, electrooculographic and radiologic features in four cases of unilateral vascular dorsal midbrain syndrome. In each case the syndrome presented all the characteristic signs, i.e, convergence-retracting nystagmus, vertical gaze impairment, lid retraction and pupillary abnormalities. In two cases downward gaze only was impaired. The lesion was hemorrhagic in three cases and ischemic in one. CT and MRI demonstrated the site and the etiology of the lesions. All the cases presented a spontaneous improvement of signs and symptoms.

Key Words:

• dorsal midbrain syndrome
• convergent retracting nystagmus
• vertical gaze impairment