Medial Medullary Syndrome

Medial medullary syndrome, also known as Dejerine syndrome, represents less than 1% of brainstem stroke syndromes. Thrombotic or embolic occlusion of small perforating branches from vertebral or proximal basilar artery supplying the medial aspect of medulla oblongata cause this rare syndrome. It is characterized by contralateral hemiplegia/hemiparesis as well as hemisensory loss with ipsilateral hypoglossal palsy (ipsilateral tongue weakness and atrophy) from involvement of CN XII nucleus. Other manifestations e.g. vertigo, nausea, ipsilateral limb ataxia are also reported.