Bilateral medial medullary infarction

We present a case of bilateral medial medullary infarction demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and review 12 previously reported cases. We classify these 13 cases (including the present case) into two groups according to the extent of the ischemic region: type 1, the ischemic lesion developed from the medullary pyramid to the medial longitudinal fasciculus; type 2, the lesion was confined to the medullary pyramid. A 71 year old man presented with slight disturbance of consciousness, dysarthria, disturbance or leftward gaze, no gag reflex and tetraparesis, He developed nearly complete horizontal ophthalmoplegia. MRI revealed upper medial medullary infarction bilaterally that extended to the pontomedullary junction. We propose that the prognosis of type 2 bilateral medial medullary infarction is better than that of type 1, Furthermore, the prognosis of bilateral medial medullary infarction itself may be better than previously indicated. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.