Diagnosis and initial management of cerebellar infarction. 2008

Jonathan A Edlow, and David E Newman-Toker, and Sean I Savitz
Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. jedlow@bidmc.harvard.edu

Cerebellar infarction is an important cause of stroke that often presents with common and non-specific symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, unsteady gait, and headache. Accurate diagnosis frequently relies on careful attention to patients' coordination, gait, and eye movements--components of the neurological physical examination that are sometimes omitted or abridged if cerebellar stroke is not specifically being considered. The differential diagnosis is broad, and includes many common and benign causes. Furthermore, early-stage posterior fossa ischaemia is rarely seen with brain CT--the most commonly available initial imaging test that is used for stroke. Insufficient examination and imaging can result in misdiagnosis. However, early correct diagnosis is crucial to help prevent treatable but potentially fatal complications, such as brainstem compression and obstructive hydrocephalus. The identification and treatment of the underlying vascular lesions at an early stage can also prevent subsequent occurrences of stroke and improve patients' outcomes. Here, we review the clinical presentation of cerebellar infarction, from diagnosis and misdiagnosis to patients' monitoring, treatment, and potential complications.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002526 Cerebellar Diseases Diseases that affect the structure or function of the cerebellum. Cardinal manifestations of cerebellar dysfunction include dysmetria, GAIT ATAXIA, and MUSCLE HYPOTONIA. Cerebellar Dysfunction,Cerebellum Diseases,Cerebellar Disorders,Cerebellar Syndromes,Cerebellar Disease,Cerebellar Disorder,Cerebellar Dysfunctions,Cerebellar Syndrome,Cerebellum Disease,Disease, Cerebellar,Disease, Cerebellum,Disorder, Cerebellar,Dysfunction, Cerebellar,Syndrome, Cerebellar
D002531 Cerebellum The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills. Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014057 Tomography, X-Ray Computed Tomography using x-ray transmission and a computer algorithm to reconstruct the image. CAT Scan, X-Ray,CT Scan, X-Ray,Cine-CT,Computerized Tomography, X-Ray,Electron Beam Computed Tomography,Tomodensitometry,Tomography, Transmission Computed,X-Ray Tomography, Computed,CAT Scan, X Ray,CT X Ray,Computed Tomography, X-Ray,Computed X Ray Tomography,Computerized Tomography, X Ray,Electron Beam Tomography,Tomography, X Ray Computed,Tomography, X-Ray Computer Assisted,Tomography, X-Ray Computerized,Tomography, X-Ray Computerized Axial,Tomography, Xray Computed,X Ray Computerized Tomography,X Ray Tomography, Computed,X-Ray Computer Assisted Tomography,X-Ray Computerized Axial Tomography,Beam Tomography, Electron,CAT Scans, X-Ray,CT Scan, X Ray,CT Scans, X-Ray,CT X Rays,Cine CT,Computed Tomography, Transmission,Computed Tomography, X Ray,Computed Tomography, Xray,Computed X-Ray Tomography,Scan, X-Ray CAT,Scan, X-Ray CT,Scans, X-Ray CAT,Scans, X-Ray CT,Tomographies, Computed X-Ray,Tomography, Computed X-Ray,Tomography, Electron Beam,Tomography, X Ray Computer Assisted,Tomography, X Ray Computerized,Tomography, X Ray Computerized Axial,Transmission Computed Tomography,X Ray Computer Assisted Tomography,X Ray Computerized Axial Tomography,X Ray, CT,X Rays, CT,X-Ray CAT Scan,X-Ray CAT Scans,X-Ray CT Scan,X-Ray CT Scans,X-Ray Computed Tomography,X-Ray Computerized Tomography,Xray Computed Tomography
D020520 Brain Infarction Tissue NECROSIS in any area of the brain, including the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES, the CEREBELLUM, and the BRAIN STEM. Brain infarction is the result of a cascade of events initiated by inadequate blood flow through the brain that is followed by HYPOXIA and HYPOGLYCEMIA in brain tissue. Damage may be temporary, permanent, selective or pan-necrosis. Brain Infarct,Venous Infarction, Brain,Anterior Cerebral Circulation Infarction,Anterior Circulation Brain Infarction,Anterior Circulation Infarction, Brain,Brain Infarction, Anterior Circulation,Brain Infarction, Posterior Circulation,Brain Infarction, Venous,Infarction, Anterior Cerebral Circulation,Infarction, Anterior Circulation, Brain,Infarction, Brain, Anterior Circulation,Infarction, Brain, Posterior Circulation,Infarction, Posterior Circulation, Brain,Posterior Circulation Brain Infarction,Posterior Circulation Infarction, Brain,Brain Infarctions,Brain Infarctions, Venous,Brain Infarcts,Brain Venous Infarction,Brain Venous Infarctions,Infarct, Brain,Infarction, Brain,Infarction, Brain Venous,Infarction, Venous Brain,Infarctions, Brain,Infarctions, Brain Venous,Infarctions, Venous Brain,Infarcts, Brain,Venous Brain Infarction,Venous Brain Infarctions,Venous Infarctions, Brain

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