The findings in 15 cases of thrombosis of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery are presented, with and analysis of the symptoms and neurologic abnormalities.
In most cases there was a sudden onset of vertigo, falling, unilateral ataxia, vomiting, diplopia, paresthesia, dysphagia and dysphonia.
Horner´s syndrome, cerebellar signs, unilateral palatal paralysis, ipsilateral loss of pain and temperature perception of the face and contralateral loss on the truck and extremities were observed.
The basis for the symptom complex is a highlhy localized lateral meduallary lesion, involving the nucleus ambiguus, Deiter´s nucleus, the descending root of the fifth nerve, the lateral spinothalamic tract, the medullary sympathetic center, the direct spinocerebellar tract, the restiform body and, occasionally, the nucleus facialis.
The prognosis with regard to life and the return of essential functions is generally good.
Although the syndrome is commoner than was previously believed, instance in general hosptals are still rare. it is felt, therefore, that 15 cases of the syndrome of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery recorded at out department within the past four years are worth reporting and that a brief review of literatures on the symptom complex is timely
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