cerebellar infarction

Clinical manifestations

• sudden onset of symptoms
• ataxia with impairment of balance
• vertigo (may be severe)
• nausea/vomiting
• nystagmus, gaze-evoked & asymmetric
• absence of new onset pain

Radiology

• computed tomography (CT) does not visualize cerebellum well
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives better image of cerebellum than CT

Complications

• progressive brainstem dysfunction may occur after 24-96 hours due to compression by swollen cerebellum

Differential diagnosis

• lateral medullary infarction generally involves face & pain & temperature pathways
• vestibular neuronitis suggested by positive head thrust test

Management

• neurosurgery may be needed to decompress brainstem

More general terms

• stroke; cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

More specific terms

• superior cerebellar artery syndrome

Additional terms

• cerebellum