Hospital Virtual Tour

Brain herniation - Symptom

Alternative Names

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

Symptoms:

Cardiac arrest (no pulse)
Coma
Irregular breathing
Irregular pulse
Loss of all brainstem reflexes (blinking, gagging, pupils reacting to light)
Progressive loss of consciousness
Respiratory arrest (no breathing)

Signs and tests:

A neurological exam shows changes in alertness (consciousness). Depending on the severity of the herniation, there will be problems with one or more brain-related reflexes and cranial nerve functions.

Patients with a brain herniation have irregular heart rhythms and difficulty breathing consistently.

Brain

Brain hernia

Reviewed last on: 9/22/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Nkwuo N, Schamban N, Borenstein M. Selected Oncologic Emergencies. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 121.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)