Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41612254›Full record

ArticleBMC neurology2026

Isolated Paramedian Pontine Reticular Formation (PPRF) syndrome in AQP4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a case report.

Manami Terahara, Takahiro Hobara, Yujiro Higuchi, Shota Hirakata, Yutaka Noguchi, Satoshi Nozuma, Hiroshi Takashima

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMC neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Manami TeraharaDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.
Takahiro HobaraDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan. k6184982@kadai.jp.
Yujiro HiguchiDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.
Shota HirakataDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.
Yutaka NoguchiDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.
Satoshi NozumaDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.
Hiroshi TakashimaDepartment of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, 890-8520, Kagoshima, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundParamedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) syndrome is characterized by horizontal gaze palsy due to lesions in the PPRF or the abducens nucleus. It is relatively rare and is typically associated with medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old Japanese woman presented with right lateral gaze palsy and facial nerve palsy, with preserved convergence and left lateral gaze. Neurological evaluation confirmed PPRF syndrome and facial nerve palsy, with no involvement of the MLF. Brain MRI showed a lesion in the right dorsal pons, affecting the PPRF, abducens nucleus, and facial nerve. Serum testing revealed positive antinuclear and anti-AQP4 antibodies. The patient responded well to immunotherapy, with substantial clinical and radiological improvements. She was ultimately diagnosed with AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD.

conclusionThis is the first documented case of isolated PPRF syndrome in AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD. The findings expand the known phenotypic spectrum of NMOSD and highlight the importance of considering NMOSD, with targeted AQP4 antibody testing, in patients presenting with isolated PPRF syndrome.

Indexed as

Aquaporin 4AutoantibodiesNeuromyelitis OpticaReticular FormationFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMiddle AgedSyndromeAQP4 protein, humanAquaporin 4AutoantibodiesAquaporin-4 (AQP4)Horizontal gaze palsyNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)Paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) syndrome

Identifiers

PMID41612254
PMCPMC12924567

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