Association of Pontine Small Infarction (Lacuna) with Disturbance of Postural Stability

Abstract

Neuronal degeneration within the brainstem has been reported in patients with impaired postural stability. However, the functional significance of these abnormalities is unknown at present. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between the presence of pontine lacunae and postural stability measured by stabilometry. A total of 209 consecutive patients without neurological signs were divided into three groups according to the territory of lacunae on magnetic resonance imaging: (1) non-lacunar group, (2) pontine lacunar group, and (3) non-pontine lacunar group. Stabilometry was performed and statokinesigram measures including each Romberg quotient were compared among the three groups. Using multivariate analysis, postural stability was found to be disturbed in the pontine lacunar group compared with the other groups. The data of stabilometry in this group were compatible with disturbance of the central controlling system for keeping postural stability. Pontine lacuna is associated with patients with postural instability. This result may be related to the deterioration of the central coordination system for posture and locomotion.

Role of ocular convergence in the Romberg quotient

“…We calculated the Romberg quotient from studies of healthy young and elderly [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The value of Romberg quotient was 2.5 or above only for 6 from the 15 studies [1][2][3][4][5]15].…”

“…The value of Romberg quotient was 2.5 or above only for 6 from the 15 studies [1][2][3][4][5]15]. Such differences of the RQ values could be due to experimental settings: use of a free room environment versus a booth, posture parameters studied (surface of CoP [5,6,11,14], antero-posterior and lateral sway [8][9][10]13], root mean square [1][2][3][4]12], length of CoP sway [11], fractal dimension [14], diffusion coefficient [15], sway velocity [7,11]); the distance subject-target was also different from one study to the other.…”