#Pica syndrome cerebellum full#

Symptoms and signs of posterior circulation ischemia in the New England Medical Centre posterior circulation registry. Searls DE, Pazdera L, Korbel E, Vysata O, Caplan LR. Posterior circulation ischemia: then, now, and tomorrow. New England Medical Center posterior circulation registry. Caplan LR, Wityk RJ, Glass TA, Tapia J, Pazdera L, Chang HM, et al. Differential diagnosisĭue to the small confined area in the inferior aspect of the posterior cranial fossa, the swelling caused by a PICA infarct can lead to significant mass effect and midline shift which may mimic a cerebellar mass such as a primary brain tumor or metastasis.

In large volume cerebellar infarcts, neurosurgical treatment with occipital decompression or external ventricular drainage (EVD) can be lifesaving in patients who have acute hydrocephalus or raised intracranial pressure causing reduces consciousness 11. In PICA infarction, the outcomes are generally expected to be good 12.

If the timing of diagnosis fits within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms, then patients can be treated with thrombolysis 9. Acute endovascular therapies, often in the form of lysis or clot removal, can be used, particularly in basilar artery occlusion 10. Treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and posterior circulation strokes in general, depends upon the nature, timing, and severity of symptoms. In the first twenty-four hours, studies show approximately 75-95% sensitivity for MRI diffusion-weighted images, compared to CT of 16% 8. MRI is far superior to CT in the sensitivity of acute ischemic stroke across all vascular territories. MR angiography and CT angiography both have very high sensitivity for vessel occlusion identification, at 87% and 100% respectively 7. CT angiography should be utilized if the patient fits thrombolysis therapy guidelines 6. Variations are common and the PICA syndrome for example, often presents with facial pain as the initial symptom and hypoalgesia, affecting either side of face 5.Īs with all cases of suspected stroke, CT or MRI is required urgently to exclude hemorrhagic stroke. There are multiple eponymous posterior stroke syndromes, often presenting incompletely 4.

#Pica syndrome cerebellum full#

Headache and neck pain is normally the result of full posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory infarcts and is likely secondary to the associated swelling and mass effect 3. Signs of a lateral medullary syndrome may coexist in ~30% 2. Vertigo, nausea and truncal ataxia are the most common presenting features. There is loss of pain sensation on the right-sided face and left-sided trunk and limbs.Typically considered the most common territory involved in cerebellar infarction, although at least one study 1 has demonstrated similar frequencies of PICA and superior cerebellar artery (SCA) infarcts. There is right-sided vocal cord paralysis and absence of elevation of the right palate during phonation. On physical examination, there is a right-sided Horner’s syndrome. Past medical history is significant for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

He also reports some trouble with swallowing, and his wife noticed that his voice sounds hoarse. A 59-year-old male presents with sensory changes on the right side of his face, left side of his body, and dizziness.Spongiform Encephalopathy / Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease