Survival following gunshot wound of the pons: neuroanatomic considerations

The successful treatment of a civilian gunshot wound of the vermis and pons is described. A large missile fragment was removed from a depth of 2 cm within the pons at the level of the facial colliculus. Despite initial coma and subsequent irregular respiration with sleep apnea, the patient survived. Neurological, radiographic, and operative findings are correlated with the anatomy of the pons.