Wallenberg syndrome is a condition that affects the nervous system. It typically results from a stroke in the brain stem and can impair a person’s coordination, balance, eye movement, and ability to swallow.
Doctors also refer to Wallenberg syndrome as lateral medullary syndrome, posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) syndrome, or vertebral artery syndrome. The name Wallenberg syndrome derives from Dr. Adolf Wallenberg, a German neurologist. The condition occurs due to an infarction, or stroke, in part of the brain stem.
A person with Wallenberg syndrome may require immediate medical attention and rapid evaluation to improve their outcome and prognosis. They may also require additional long-term treatments, including swallowing and speech therapy.
In this article, we will discuss Wallenberg syndrome, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
![Images of brain scans.](http://i0.wp.com/post.medicalnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Wallenberg-syndrome-brain-scans-header-1024x575.jpg?w=1155&h=1528)
Wallenberg syndrome describes a rare neurological condition that affects the nervous system. It is the
Wallenberg syndrome occurs due to an ischemic stroke occurring in one of the arteries that supply blood to the back portion of the brain. When oxygenated blood
Specifically, a blockage occurs in the
This area of the brain includes the different parts of the brain stem, most notably the
The involvement of these arteries and parts of the brain is where many of the other names for the condition originate.
Evidence notes that hypertension is the most common risk factor for Wallenberg syndrome. Other potential risk factors
- diabetes
- a history of smoking
- heart disease
Additionally, a vertebral artery dissection, or a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the vertebral artery, can result in a stroke that may lead to Wallenberg syndrome. Risk factors for this
- neck injuries
- Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition that affects connective tissues
- Ehler-Danlos syndrome, a group of genetic disorders that affect the body’s connective tissues
- fibromuscular dysplasia, a condition that affects the artery walls
The brain stem delivers messages to the spinal cord, making a person’s motor and sensory functions possible. As such, damage to this area can affect the nervous system. Symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome
- dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing
- vertigo with involuntary eye movement
- dizziness
- difficulty in maintaining balance
- difficulty walking
- nausea and vomiting
- hiccups
- problems with body temperature sensation
- a decrease in sweating
Sometimes people with Wallenberg syndrome
A doctor will ask questions about symptoms and carefully review a person’s medical history before making a diagnosis.
A person with suspected Wallenberg syndrome
Similar to managing other conditions that arise due to ischemic stroke, doctors usually
Treatment options for Wallenberg syndrome are typically symptomatic. This means that a person receives therapy to help ease the symptoms they are experiencing. As such, options
- a feeding tube if swallowing is difficult
- swallowing therapy
- speech therapy
- pain medications, which may include the anti-epileptic drug gabapentin
In some severe cases, a doctor
The prognosis of Wallenberg syndrome usually
The long-term outlook for people with Wallenberg syndrome is
Wallenberg syndrome describes a condition where a stroke reduces blood flow to the brain stem. As this causes damage to this part of the brain, it can affect its function. This may result in symptoms such as balance problems, involuntary eye movement, and difficulty swallowing.
Treatment involves managing symptoms of the condition. The prognosis of the condition can vary, but it generally has a better outcome than other stroke syndromes.