title: Corneomandibular reflex: Anatomical basis.
abstract: Corneomandibular reflex is a pathological phenomenon evident in cases of severe brainstem damage. It is considered to be a pathological exteroceptive reflex, associated with precentro bulbar tract lesions. The sign is useful in distinguishing central neurological injuries to metabolic disorders in acutely comatose patients, localizing lesions to the upper brainstem area, determining the depth of coma and its evolution, providing evidence of uncal or transtentorial herniation in acute cerebral hemisphere lesions, and it is a marker of supraspinal level impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. This sign was evident in a patient with severe brain damage. We discuss the literature findings and its relevance in prognosis establishment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology Service, Santorso Hospital, Santorso, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pistacchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, San Martino Hospital, Viale Europa 22, 32100, Belluno, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gioulis
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, San Martino Hospital, Intensive Care, Viale Europa, Belluno, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazzon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, San Martino Hospital, Viale Europa 22, 32100, Belluno, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandro Zambito
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Marsala
keywords: Brainstem damage; bulbar tract lesion; corneomandibular reflex