Podcast # 485: Cerebellar Stroke

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