Pure motor hemiplegia and lower cranial nerve palsies in a primary medullary tumor with review of the literature

A case is described of pure motor hemiplegia and lower cranial nerve palsies in a primary medullary tumor. The literature is reviewed to support the contention that this is a case of primary medullary glioma and to show the uniqueness of the presentation of pure motor hemiplegia with a tumor in this location. A discussion of the problems of brainstem tumor is presented; surgical exploration is recommended if indicated, followed by radiation therapy.