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Report of Two Cases With Pathologic Study of One

Michael W. Devereaux, MD; James R. Keane, MD; Richard L. Davis, MD

Arch Neurol. 1973;29(1):46-52.

Abstract
Two patients had bilateral tegmental medullary infarcts with resultant acute failure of automatic respiratory function. Both patients were eventually able to maintain respiration unaided while awake, but remained apneic during sleep. This condition, referred to as Ondine's curse, has been described in association with bilateral high cervical cordotomy, bulbar poliomyelitis, and in single instances of brain stem tumor and infarction. Our cases add further support to the concept of two separate respiratory systems: a voluntary system, with cerebral centers and descending pathways associated with the pyramidal system; and an automatic system, with medullary tegmental centers and pathways in the anterolateral portions of the high cervical cord.

Author Affiliations
Los Angeles

From the Neurology Service and Ramon y Cajal Laboratory of Neuropathology of the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center and the departments of neurology (Drs. Devereaux and Keane) and pathology (Dr. Davis), University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 13, 1973.

Reprint requests to Neurology Service, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, 1200 N State St, Los Angeles 90033 (Dr. Keane).

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