Jul 6, 2019
Contributor: Jared Scott, MD
Educational Pearls:
- Cerebellar strokes make up a disproportionate number of missed or delayed diagnosis for stroke likely due to the subtle nature of the presentation
- Cerebellar strokes can present with vomiting, dizziness, and ataxia.
- Unlike anterior circulation stroke, exam findings in a cerebellar stroke are ipsilateral to the lesion
- On neuro exam, findings may include:
-
- Dysmetria: lack of coordination with overshooting/undershooting intended position of limb
- Dysdiadochokinesia: difficulty with rapid alternating movements
- Ataxia
- Nystagmus
- Consider a cerebellar stroke in patients presenting with vomiting and dizziness without an alternative diagnosis
References
Edlow JA, Newman-Toker DE, Savitz SI. Diagnosis and initial management of cerebellar infarction. Lancet Neurol. 2008 Oct;7(10):951-64. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70216-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 18848314.
Datar S, Rabinstein AA. Cerebellar infarction. Neurol Clin. 2014 Nov;32(4):979-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2014.07.007. Epub 2014 Sep 13. Review. PubMed PMID: 25439292.
Summarized by Will Dewispelaere, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD