Hypertrophic olivary degeneration

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 16 Jan 2024

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is a rare condition characterized by a unique pattern of trans-synaptic degeneration. Typically it is caused by a lesion in the brainstem/cerebellum interrupting the triangle of Guillain and Mollaret, resulting in hypertrophy of the inferior olivary nucleus.

It should be noted, however, that in a significant proportion of patients no causative lesion will be identified 5.

Oculopalatal tremor is a distinctive part of the presentation of hypertrophic olivary degeneration, although is also seen in many other brainstem and cerebellar conditions 4. Oculopalatal tremor comprises ocular, palatal and other muscular involuntary movements 7-9.

  • palatal tremor/myoclonus (symptomatic palatal tremor/myoclonus) 7-9

    • rhythmic 1-3 Hz involuntary movement of the soft palate and uvula potentially extending to involve the pharynx and larynx

    • often persists during sleep

    • no associated audible clicking

    • not always be present, but when it is present, it is pathognomonic

  • oscillopsia may be present due to the pendular nystagmus caused by the ocular myoclonus 4,8

  • upper extremity tremor (Holmes tremor) may also be present 4,8

  • facial, cervical, intercostal, and diaphragmatic tremor/myoclonus may also be present 7,8

The connection between the red nucleus, ipsilateral inferior olivary nucleus and the contralateral dentate nucleus forms the triangle of Guillain and Mollaret. Interruption of either connection between the dentate nucleus and contralateral red nucleus (dentatorubral tract, superior cerebellar peduncle) or the connection between the red nucleus and ipsilateral inferior olivary nucleus (central tegmental tract) leads to changes in the olive. The olive receives inhibitory (GABAergic) signals within the dentato-rubro-olivary pathway, with transneuronal degeneration causing enlargement rather than atrophy. 

Pathologically, this is characterized by "trans-synaptic degeneration resulting in vacuolation of the neurons" and an increase in astrocytes. Isolated lesions of the inferior cerebellar peduncle do not cause hypertrophic olivary degeneration, as anatomically there are no direct connections between the inferior olivary nucleus and the contralateral dentate nucleus (fibers from the inferior olivary nucleus project to the cerebellar cortex via the olivocerebellar tracts and then to the dentate nucleus). 

Oculopalatal tremor results from disinhibition of the inferior olivary nucleus, following the pathology in dentato-rubro-olivary pathway which is further modulated by the cerebellum 4

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration is often seen several months after the original insult.

The inferior olivary nucleus gets larger and increases in signal intensity on T2 weighted and T2-FLAIR sequences.

Typically, within a few months, T2 signal increases and lasts for 3-4 years, whereas hypertrophy occurs later (at about one year), and resolves by 3-4 years. There are three stages:

  1. T2 hyperintense without olivary swelling

  2. T2 hyperintense and olivary swelling occur concomitantly, developing after 6 months and persisting for nearly 3-4 years

  3. olivary swelling subsides, but T2 hyperintensity persists

The ipsilateral red nucleus may lose the expected normal hypointensity on SWI 6.

Management is primarily directed towards the underlying cause 9. Otherwise, pharmacological symptomatic treatment of oculopalatal myoclonus (e.g. sodium valproate, clonazepam) tends to not be successful 8,9.

General imaging differential considerations include:

Clinical differential considerations include:

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