How is lateral medullary syndrome diagnosed?
Patients with a suspected diagnosis should undergo MRI evaluation, including diffusion-weighted imaging, which is the best tool to confirm the infarct in the inferior cerebellar area or lateral medulla.
What are the characteristics of lateral medullary syndrome?
The usual symptoms of lateral medullary infarction include vertigo, dizziness, nystagmus, ataxia, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia, and hiccups. Dysphagia is more profound in lateral medullary syndrome patients.
How is Wallenberg syndrome diagnosed?
A CT or MR angiogram (X-ray of blood vessels) to identify the location of the blocked blood vessel and to rule out uncommon causes of stroke. An ECG to rule out any underlying atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) or acute coronary syndrome (blocked blood supply to the heart) Blood tests.
What structures are affected in Wallenberg syndrome?
Wallenberg syndrome (WS) is a neurological disorder that is due to damage to the lateral portion of the medulla oblongata (i.e., the lateral medullary syndrome). WS is typically due to ischemia from a vertebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction.
Which cranial nerves are involved in Wallenberg syndrome?
Cranial Nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal) and X (Vagus) The lateral medullary syndrome, also known as Wallenberg’s syndrome, is the prototype lesion involving the nuclei of cranial nerves IX and X.
What is Wallenberg syndrome symptoms?
Signs and symptoms may include swallowing difficulties, dizziness, hoarseness, nausea and vomiting, nystagmus, and problems with balance. Some people have uncontrollable hiccups, loss of pain and temperature sensation on one side of the face, and/or weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
What happens in Wallenberg syndrome?
Wallenberg syndrome is a rare condition in which an infarction, or stroke, occurs in the lateral medulla. The lateral medulla is a part of the brain stem. Oxygenated blood doesn’t get to this part of the brain when the arteries that lead to it are blocked. A stroke can occur due to this blockage.
Where is the lesion in Wallenberg syndrome?
This neurological disorder is associated with a variety of symptoms that occur as a result of damage to the lateral segment of the medulla posterior to the inferior olivary nucleus.
Which artery is affected in Wallenberg syndrome of medulla?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Wallenberg Syndrome (aka Lateral Medullary Syndrome or Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Syndrome) is a neurological condition caused by a blockage of the vertebral artery (VA) or posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), ultimately leading …
What is a medullary infarct?
Medial medullary syndrome is a form of stroke that affects the medial medulla of the brain. It is usually caused by atherothrombotic occlusion of paramedian branches of the anterior spinal artery, the vertebral artery, or the basilar artery.