Localization of Central Nervous System Lesions

Localization of a CNS lesion based on clinical signs is vital because many specific diseases are restricted to particular regions of the CNS. Lesions can be localized to one of seven regions of the CNS: forebrain, midbrain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, spinal cord, peripheral nerve (either cranial nerves or spinal nerves), and muscle. Once the clinician has located the anatomic site of a neurologic lesion, a list of rule-out diagnoses may be formulated. Additional tests, including CSF analysis, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), serology, electroencephalography, brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), and myelography, can be performed to further characterize the disease.