Dissociated weakness of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles with lesions in the CNS

Manon-Espaillat, Ramon MD
Ruff, Robert L. MD, PhD

From the Department of Neurology, Cleveland VA Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University Medical School, Cleveland, OH.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Manon-Espaillat, VA Medical Center 127W, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Received July 14, 1987. Accepted for publication in final form September 21, 1987.

Neurology 38(5):p 796-797, May 1988.

Article abstract

We describe three patients with lesions in the CNS that produced dissociated weakness of trapezius (TM) and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM). One patient with a right cerebral hemisphere lesion had left TM weakness and right SCM weakness. A second, with a brainstem lesion, and a third, with a high cervical cord lesion, had TM weakness with preserved SCM strength. We discuss the findings according to the known neuroanatomy.