Displacement of cerebellar tissue into spinal canal. A component of the respirator brain syndrome.

Displacement of cerebellulr tonsillar tissue into the subdural and subarachnoid space around the spinal cord was found at autopsy in eight patients who had had a variety of neurological diseases. The common factors were brain swelling and prolongation of survival by the respirator from 14 to 96 hours. Superimposed massive edema and intravitam autolysis caused by the artificial prolongation of life was the final outcome and is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of this condition. Unless the spinal cord has been examined, many pathological changes will not be appreciated.