Brain herniation

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Brain

Brain hernia

Herniation syndrome; Transtentorial herniation; Uncal herniation; Subfalcine herniation; Tonsillar herniation; Herniation - brain

• Progressive loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Irregular breathing
• Respiratory arrest (no breathing)
• Irregular pulse
• Cardiac arrest (no pulse)
• Loss of all brainstem reflexes (blink, gag, pupillary reaction to light)

A neurologic examination would show an impaired level of consciousness. Depending on the severity of the herniation, one or several brainstem reflexes and cranial nerve functions will be impaired. The patient would show an inability to breathe consistently, and heart rhythms would be irregular.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.