title: Exofocal anterograde transsynaptic neuronal death in the globus pallidus: two case reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exofocal neuronal death in the substantia nigra (SN) is a well-known form of anterograde transsynaptic cell death. Exofocal neuronal death could theoretically also occur in the globus pallidus (GP) after striatal injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case 1. A 70-year-old woman visited the emergency room because of decreased mentality. On admission, blood-gas analysis indicated that her oxygen tension was 69.1 mm Hg. The caudate nucleus, putamen, and temporooccipital cortex on both sides of the brain exhibited high-intensity diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. At 10 days after admission, new high-intensity signals had developed in the SN and GP on both sides. Case 2. A 48-year-old man visited the emergency room because of right-sided weakness. Lesions were noted in the left caudate nucleus and putamen. At 4 days after admission, newly developed high-intensity MRI signals were observed in the left SN and GP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exofocal neuronal death can occur in the GP as well as in the SN; these findings need to be clearly distinguished from those of recurrent ischemic injuries, such as recurrent stroke.
authors: Department of Neurology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Min Woo
authors: MW
authors: Koo
authors: Yue Kyung
authors: YK
authors: Kim
authors: Kyung Mo
authors: KM
authors: Ku
authors: Won Wha
authors: WW
authors: Park
authors: Yang Ki
authors: YK
authors: Minn
keywords: degeneration; globus pallidus; substantia nigra; transsynaptic