Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

NeuroTest Question #70 Next question Previous question

Answer: The specimen is obtained from a newborn infant, there is pontine infarction, and the external granular layer is present. (A)  Level of difficulty: 4 NeuroTest NeuroLearn NeuroHelp

Pathology of the case: 

• This is a tricky picture. If you pay attention to the cerebellum, you will see thin, blue layer on the surface. This layer is best interpreted as the external granular in fetus and infants. The external granular layer (arrow) is prominent at the time of birth but will be reduced to a single cell layer by 9 months. In most cases, they disappear completely by 2 years of age. Therefore, this pontine section can be taken from a new born infant.
• The pons appears collapsed and rarefied. These features are compatible with pontine infarction.

Comment: KarMing-Fung@ouhsc.edu