ANATOMICAL AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF BRAINSTEM DAMAGE IN DEMYELINATING DISEASES (USING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AS AN EXAMPLE)

Abstract

This thesis summarizes the essential topographic anatomy of the midbrain, pons, and medulla that explains why certain symptom clusters occur, then links those anatomical “targets” to typical MS lesion behavior and MRI appearance. It also highlights practical red flags that should raise suspicion for alternative demyelinating disorders such as NMOSD or MOGAD when brainstem lesions are unusually extensive, centrally located, or follow characteristic patterns.