Contents:
- Medical Video: Stroke - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
- What is Wallenberg / lateral medullary syndrome?
- What are the symptoms of lateral medullary syndrome?
- When should I see a doctor?
- How do doctors diagnose lateral medullary syndrome?
- What are the treatments for lateral medullary syndrome?
- What will happen after that?
Medical Video: Stroke - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
The type of stroke called Wallenberg's syndrome is a stroke that involves the lower part of the brain stem. This is caused by a small blockage in the blood vessels in the brain and results in a set of unique characteristics and signs. If your doctor says you have Wallenberg's syndrome or lateral medullary syndrome, here are things you should know.
What is Wallenberg / lateral medullary syndrome?
This is a stroke that starts from a group of unusual symptoms that are even confusing to many doctors. The reason for this uncommon symptom appearing together is because Wallenberg's syndrome is a mild stroke that affects an important part of the brain stem where it controls different body functions. Medullary lateral, part of the brain that is affected by this type of stroke, connects the brain to the lower part of the body.
What are the symptoms of lateral medullary syndrome?
Usually the symptoms do not appear clearly. Generally, doctors need to do a careful neurological examination to identify all the signs and examine them together to be able to diagnose lateral medullary syndrome.
Face
Usually one side of the face will be numb. There is also a loss of sensation of temperature or pain on one side of the face. The eyelids may droop on the numb side and there may be changes in pupillary size as well. Often, jerky eye movements occur when they move from side to side. This is called nystagmus. Some patients also have weakness in the face and mouth.
Arms and legs
There is usually a feeling of numbness and a decrease in sensation in the arms, legs, or both on the side of the body as opposed to the numb face. Sometimes, your arms or legs feel weak from mild to moderate levels. Most people who suffer from medullary lateral strokes have balance problems in the numbed arm or leg.
Other symptoms
Lateral medullary stroke sufferers may experience dizziness, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. Interestingly, this type of stroke can cause hiccups that last for several days. In fact, when someone meets a doctor due to stubborn hiccups and does not want to disappear, this can be a hint of lateral medullary syndrome.
When should I see a doctor?
If you or someone you know has been experiencing continuous hiccups for several days, you need to seek medical treatment because this might be a sign of a stroke or other neurological disorder.
How do doctors diagnose lateral medullary syndrome?
The diagnosis of lateral medullary syndrome is usually done by neurological examination and then confirmed by brain MRI. The brain MRI confirms the location of the abnormality and also determines whether the stroke suffered is a hemorrhagic stroke, or ischemic stroke, or even if this is not caused by a stroke but because of a brain tumor or infection. Usually the CT scan of the brain does not detect strokes in the brain stem, so the CT scan of the brain will not detect abnormalities found in lateral medullary syndrome.
What are the treatments for lateral medullary syndrome?
Treatment for lateral medullary stroke includes blood pressure control and possibly blood thinning drugs. Usually, lateral medullary stroke control depends on diagnostic evaluation, which includes a search for hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, or blood clotting disorders. After the cause of a stroke is determined, treatment is initiated to control stroke risk factors and to prevent other strokes.
What will happen after that?
After a lateral medullary stroke, symptoms can get worse during the first 48-72 hours, especially if you are not under medical care. After that, stroke patients who experience lateral medullary syndrome will usually improve over time, even though the symptoms are rarely completely gone.
