Question

Thrombosis of posterior inferior cerebellar artery causes:

• A. Lateral medullary syndrome
• B. Weber syndrome
• C. Medial medullary syndrome
• D. none

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Thrombosis of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) typically leads to a condition known as Lateral Medullary Syndrome, also known as Wallenberg syndrome. This syndrome occurs due to an infarction in the lateral part of the medulla oblongata.

The following anatomical structures are affected in Lateral Medullary Syndrome:

• The inferior cerebellar peduncle causes ataxia due to its role in proprioception.
• Damage to the spinothalamic tract leads to contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.
• The nucleus ambiguus is affected, resulting in dysphagia and hoarseness due to impaired function of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.
• The trigeminal nucleus and tract lead to ipsilateral facial sensory loss, particularly temperature and pain.
• The vestibular nuclei result in vertigo, nystagmus, and other balance disorders.

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery is a crucial artery supplying blood to the cerebellum and the lateral medulla. When thrombosed, it leads to the constellation of symptoms noted above, characteristic of Lateral Medullary Syndrome.