Uncal herniation

Last revised by Yahya Baba on 16 Sep 2021

Uncal herniation is a subtype of transtentorial downward brain herniation that involves the uncus, usually related to cerebral mass effect increasing the intracranial pressure.

  • pupils and globe clinical features 3
    • initially, an ipsilateral dilated pupil that is unresponsive to light, signifying ipsilateral oculomotor nerve compression
    • may develop into bilaterally blown pupils due to compression of the mesencephalon and its parasympathetic nuclei
    • rarely, an isolated contralateral dilated pupil that is unresponsive to light may develop, signifying contralateral oculomotor nerve compression from midline shift
    • tonic lateral deviation may occur due to unopposed abducens nerve activity
    • ptosis may occur due to oculomotor nerve palsy (not paralysis of Müller's muscle)
    • vertical gaze palsy may occur after compression of the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus
  • altered mental state 3
    • compression of the reticular activating system of the mesencephalon leads to alteration in conscious state
  • motor deficits 3

In uncal herniation, the uncus and the adjacent part of the temporal lobe glide downward across the tentorial incisura compressing the brainstem and the posterior cerebral arteries in the ambient cistern. Uncal herniation may be unilateral or bilateral 1,2.

Uncal herniation occurs secondary to large mass effect (that can occur from traumatic or non-traumatic hemorrhage, malignancy, etc.) that will lead to increased intracranial pressure and herniation. Masses are typically supratentorial.

Uncal herniation can be suggested on CT, however, MRI is the gold standard.

Features of unilateral descending tentorial herniation include:

  • medial displacement of the uncus and parahippocampal gyrus of the temporal lobe
  • medial displacement of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle 
  • mass effect and obliteration of the suprasellar cistern (ipsilateral)
  • effacement of all basal cisterns
  • widening of cerebellopontine angle (ipsilateral)
  • asymmetrical inferior midbrain displacement and effacement
  • midbrain hemorrhage on the same side
  • inferomedial displacement of posterior communicating and posterior cerebral arteries

Bilateral transtentorial herniation:

  • occurs due to extensive mass effect or severe trauma, less common
  • both temporal lobes herniated into tentorial incisura
  • complete obliteration of suprasellar cistern 
  • midbrain effaced and displaced inferiorly

Uncal herniation carries a bad prognosis due to the direct compression of the vital midbrain centers. They often require emergency neurosurgical decompression.

Initial management of uncal herniation to alleviate intracranial pressure includes; elevating the head on the bed to at least 30° ensuring that the head is kept midline, hyperventilation, which in turn decreases arterial carbon dioxide and induces vasoconstriction, and hyperosmolar therapy 5

  • extensive brainstem ischemia
  • coma 5
  • Duret hemorrhage is a late finding and carries a poor prognosis, usually death 
  • contralateral midbrain compressed against the tentorium may cause Kernohan phenomenon
  • compression of the ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery will result in ischemia of the visual cortex with resultant homonymous hemianopsia
  • if uncal herniation is diagnosed, the referring physician should be notified immediately, because of its life-threatening nature
  • it is important to note that different types of cerebral hernias can be present at the same time. In descending transtentorial hernia, if there is further descent of brain tissue, a tonsillar hernia might occur 4

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.