Cerebellar infarction--a presentation of vertigo

Laryngoscope. 1980 Mar;90(3):505-14. doi: 10.1002/lary.5540900319.

Abstract

The differential diagnosis of acute vertigo includes cerebellar infarction. In the past a mortality rate of 50% - 80% was reported with cerebellar infarction. This is no doubt related to an inability to accurately diagnose small lesions which carry a better prognosis. The advent of computerized tomography (CT) now permits accurate diagnosis of small cerebellar infarctions. Seven patients admitted with acute onset of vertigo which mimicked a peripheral labyrinthine disorder are presented. In all patients a cerebellar etiology was demonstrated by CT. One patient had been subjected to therapeutic labyrinthectomy; three of seven patients had associated unilateral hearing loss suggesting partial brain stem involvemtation. Computerized tomography should be included in the routine work-up of acute vertigo with any associated neurologic findings to aid in proper diagnosis and effect appropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Diseases / complications
  • Cerebellar Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications*
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss / etiology
  • Humans
  • Labyrinth Diseases / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vertigo / diagnosis
  • Vertigo / etiology*