The clinical manifestations of pontine hemorrhage

The survival rate was 40% in 10 patients suffering hemorrhage into the pons who were admitted to an acute care facility. This rate is higher than previously reported. In addition to the “classic” pontine hematoma syndrome characterized by coma, quadriparesis, and eventual demise, two more benign syndromes arising from hemorrhage confined to one side of the pons were also recognized. In one of these hemipontine syndromes, hematoma involved both the basis pontis and tegmentum and was associated with hemiparesis, brainstem signs, and preserved consciousness. In the other, hemorrhage was confined to the tegmentum and was associated with gaze paresis, motor sparing, and preserved consciousness. All patients suffering hemipontine hemorrhage survived. An impressive degree of functional recovery occurred in these survivors.