Brainstem dysfunction | Differential diagnosis |
---|---|
Oculomotor anomalies (III, IV, VI cranial nerves nuclei) | Cranial nerve palsy Myopathy involving oculomotor muscles Neuromuscular disorders: myasthenia, Lambert-Eaton syndrome and botulism |
Pupillary size anomalies | Anisocoria: compressive lesion of the III cranial nerve such as herniation/intracranial hypertension and posterior communicative artery aneurysm |
Mydriasis: third nerve lesion | |
Claude Bernard-Horner’s syndrome (ptosis, myosis, enophtalmia, anhidrosis) | Pancoast tumor Carotid or aortic dissection |
Facial sensory anomalies (V cranial nerve nucleus) | Contralateral brain injury Cranial nerve palsy (V) |
Facial motor anomalies (VII cranial nerve nucleus) | Contralateral brain injury Cranial nerve palsy (VII) Myopathy with facial paralysis Neuro-muscular disorders: myasthenia, Lambert-Eaton syndrome and botulism |
Posture and movement anomalies | Uni- or bilateral basal ganglia lesions |
Motor and/or sensory deficit | Contralateral brain injury Critical illness neuromyopathy Guillain-Barre syndrome |
Motor deficit | Myopathy Neuro-muscular disorders: myasthenia, Lambert-Eaton syndrome and botulism |
Autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) dyfunctions | Spine injury Guillain-Barre syndrome |
Respiratory control anomalies | Cervical spine injury (C3–C5) Phrenic nerve palsy Diaphragmatic injury Critical illness neuromyopathy Neuromuscular disorders: myasthenia, Lambert-Eaton syndrome and botulism |