Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
07:54
Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 30, 2018
False localizing signs in traumatic brain injury.
Cristin McKenna1, Jonathan Fellus, Anna M Barrett
1Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA. cmckenna@kmrrec.org
Brain Injury
|June 27, 2009
Summary
Kernohan-Woltman Notch Phenomenon (KWNP) causes same-sided hemiparesis from contralateral brain compression. This false-localizing sign can mislead diagnoses, especially with incomplete patient records.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Kernohan-Woltman Notch Phenomenon (KWNP) is a rare cause of hemiparesis.
- This condition presents as a false-localizing sign, where clinical presentation suggests an incorrect neuroanatomical diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on false-localizing signs in neurology.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by conditions like KWNP.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on false-localizing signs.
- Analysis of existing case studies and neurological literature.
Main Results:
- KWNP involves compression of the contralateral crus cerebri against the tentorial incisum.
- This compression results in hemiparesis ipsilateral to the inciting mass-occupying lesion.
Conclusions:
- False-localizing signs, such as KWNP, can significantly mislead clinical diagnosis.
- Physicians, particularly physiatrists, must consider these signs when evaluating patients with incomplete medical records.
