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Intractable hiccup caused by medulla oblongata lesions
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Intractable hiccups can signal rare brainstem lesions. Lesions in the dorsal and lateral medulla oblongata, identified via MRI, were found to cause these persistent hiccups.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Intractable hiccup is a rare but significant clinical manifestation.
- Brainstem lesions are an uncommon cause of persistent hiccups.
Observation:
- This study examined five patients with intractable hiccups.
- All patients presented with lesions in the medulla oblongata, specifically affecting the dorsal and/or lateral aspects.
- Causes included brainstem infarction (Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome), multiple sclerosis, and choroid plexus papilloma.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the location and nature of the medullary lesions.
- A strong correlation was established between dorsal/lateral medullary lesions and the occurrence of intractable hiccups.
Implications:
- This research highlights the medulla oblongata as a critical area for hiccup control.
- Understanding these lesion-symptom correlations can aid in diagnosing the underlying cause of intractable hiccups.
- Further investigation into the neural pathways involved in hiccup generation within the brainstem is warranted.