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How to Spot the Warning Signs of Wallenberg Syndrome - Oren Zarif - Wallenberg Syndrome


In some people, the symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome are similar to those of stroke. However, the diagnosis of the disorder is difficult because it's not clear what exactly causes it. It can result from physical or psychological trauma, as well as chronic underlying diseases or autoimmune disorders. Fortunately, this condition is treatable with medication and therapy.

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Listed below are symptoms that can be seen in people with this condition. Further reading: How to Spot the Warning Signs of Wallenberg Syndrome

A diagnosis of Wallenberg syndrome is based on a unique constellation of symptoms. Patients typically experience pain and temperature sensory deficits in the ipsilateral face. Damage to the lateral spinothalamic tract can also lead to vomiting and nystagmus. Infarction of the nucleus ambiguous, which controls the reflexes of the tongue and glossopharynx, may cause laryngeal and pharyngeal ataxia.

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A patient with Wallenberg syndrome may experience severe dizziness, numbness, and a difference in temperature on one side. Symptoms may also include decreased left arm and leg strength, decreased sensation of temperature, and difficulty sitting upright. A patient with this disorder may also exhibit low or high blood pressure and bradycardia. A diagnosis is usually based on the combination of symptoms and a neurological examination. And while most cases of Wallenberg syndrome are not life-threatening, treatment may be necessary if symptoms persist.

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A patient with Wallenberg syndrome may also exhibit symptoms of motor weakness, including difficulty swallowing. An MRI scan of the patient's brain showed an infarct that extended to the ipsilateral pons, medulla, and cervical spinal cord. Most significantly, the patient was found to have reduced sensation in his left lower extremity. The treatment for Wallenberg syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying causes.

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Research is underway to find a treatment for Wallenberg syndrome. Research at major medical institutions such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke funds studies aimed at finding a cure. The hope is to make the diagnosis more accurate, improve the quality of life for people with the disorder, and prevent it from recurrence. When the condition is left untreated, the symptoms may worsen and may lead to permanent disability.

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While it is not possible to predict whether a patient will develop Wallenberg syndrome, there are certain risk factors that can lead to the condition. A blockage in the vertebral artery (PICA) can lead to an infarction of the lateral medulla. This stroke can result in paralysis and motor weakness. The disorder was first described in 1808 by Gaspard Vieusseux, but Adolf Wallenberg provided the first detailed description of the condition and its symptoms.

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Among the symptoms of a WS-related stroke is impaired oropharyngeal swallowing. Researchers suspect that LMI affects the premotor neurons of the nucleus ambiguus and disrupts their links to other cranial motor neuron pools involved in swallowing. The remaining neurons in the nucleus ambiguus may cause the symptoms of WS. Moreover, a lateral medullary infarction could result from a severely diminished flow in the vertebral artery.

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Adolf Wallenberg, a German physician, developed a diagnosis for the disorder in the mid-1890s. He later died from ischaemic heart disease in 1949. In case you want to learn more, you can visit the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. In addition to the NIH website, you can find information on how to treat a patient with a wallenberg syndrome. So, if you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from this condition, it is best to seek medical treatment.

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This study evaluated 20 patients with WS. The mean age was 58 years. In all patients, MRI findings confirmed the presence of LMI on one side. Only two patients with WS exhibited claustrophobia while undergoing the MRI. In both cases, electrophysiological and clinical examinations were performed within the first two weeks. In two patients, dysphagia was severe and lasted for up to 52 days.

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Patients with WS had higher rates of swallowing dysfunction than patients with hemispheric stroke. Interestingly, WS patients also had a higher rate of pharyngeal paralysis than non-WS patients. The frequency of these symptoms in WS is dependent on the severity of the lesion and the extent of it. Fortunately, electrophysiological studies have confirmed this theory. And the patients in these studies were able to swallow, albeit at a slower pace than patients with WS.

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