Peduncular hallucinosis: insights from a neurosurgical point of view.
OBJECTIVE
Peduncular hallucinosis is a rare phenomenon characterized by visual hallucinosis and agitation. It appears mainly in vascular lesions affecting the brainstem, and some recent reports describe the preoperative and postoperative appearance of peduncular hallucinosis in patients affected through tumor compression at the brainstem.


METHODS
Detailing the neurosurgical experiences with this syndrome, we review the available literature and provide pathoneurobiological insights to give the neurosurgeon an overall view of this phenomenon.


RESULTS
Peduncular hallucinosis resolves spontaneously, and supportive medications might be helpful. Sacrifice of brainstem draining veins during surgery might contribute to the symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The cranial base neurosurgeon should be aware not only of the phenomenon but the surgical influence in provoking it.
Roser
Florian
F
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. f.roser@gmx.de
Ritz
Rainer
R
Koerbel
Andrei
A
Loewenheim
Hubert
H
Tatagiba
Marcos S
MS
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*