top of page

What Are the Symptoms of Wallenberg Syndrome? - Oren Zarif - Wallenberg Syndrome

Writer: Oren ZarifOren Zarif

There are many symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome and a diagnosis should be made only when it is confirmed by a neurological examination. While the syndrome is not associated with weakness, careful neurological examination is necessary. Although complete Wallenberg syndrome is rare, partial forms are usually satisfactory for diagnosis. Clinical diagnosis of this disease is based on a combination of symptoms, including crossed hemiparesis and involvement of structures of the posterolateral medulla.

Oren Zarif stroke recovery timeline

Oren Zarif smoking and stroke


Treatment for Wallenberg syndrome is very similar to that for acute stroke, so prompt evaluation and treatment are key. Typically, treatment involves reducing the size of the infarction and preventing medical complications. Long-term treatments include speech and swallowing therapies, as well as early physical and occupational therapies. In addition to the treatment options described above, the prognosis for patients with Wallenberg syndrome is determined by the location and size of the damaged brain stem.

Oren Zarif lacs stroke

Oren Zarif stress stroke


Imaging studies are required to confirm the diagnosis. CT is an imaging test that can help identify a block in an artery near the lateral medulla. While MRI is the preferred imaging test for acute strokes, it is not always reliable in identifying infarct locations in this area. Therefore, early clinical examinations of Wallenberg syndrome are crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. If the symptoms are severe, doctors may recommend feeding tube to help with swallowing.

Oren Zarif seizures after stroke

Oren Zarif boxing brain damage



The symptoms of Wallenberg Syndrome vary depending on the location of the blockage. The condition can result in numbness and/or paralysis on one side of the body. The other symptom may be a difference in body temperature. Some patients experience heart disease, high blood pressure, and arteriovenous malformation. While most patients will not have any symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome, the risk is higher for younger patients. In addition to a blockage in the vertebral artery, another underlying cause of Wallenberg syndrome is a vertebral artery dissection.

Oren Zarif best brain supplements for stroke recovery

Oren Zarif anterior circulation stroke


Although Wallenberg syndrome has better overall prognosis than other types of acute ischemic stroke, it can still cause significant disability and require ongoing treatment. The most common symptom is gait instability, which makes early physical therapy and occupational therapy crucial for recovery. The following are some tips to help people with Wallenberg syndrome recover from their stroke. So, how do you cope with these symptoms?

Oren Zarif high blood pressure and stroke

Oren Zarif cerebrovascular disease symptoms


If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible. You will need a specialized stroke rehab facility to properly evaluate your symptoms.

Symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome include irregular saccades and gaze-holding abnormalities. The saccades away from the lesion are hypometric while those toward it are hypermetric. The ocular tilt reaction is thought to be a motor compensation for the lesion-induced subjective eye-head tilt. However, it's difficult to pinpoint which of these symptoms is the primary symptom of the syndrome. So, how do you distinguish between Wallenberg syndrome and normal vision?

Oren Zarif permissive hypertension stroke

Oren Zarif thumb stroke



The symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome vary from person to person, so the diagnosis is often based on a medical history and physical examination. A 30-year-old right-handed female with vertigo and headache presented with an acute onset of symptoms. Initial neurologic examination revealed right dysmetria, horizontal nystagmus, and lingual dysarthria. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe deficiency of the vertebral artery. The resulting deficiency can cause lateral medullary infarction.

Oren Zarif wallenberg syndrome symptoms

Oren Zarif brain shearing


The earliest known symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome are the delayed swallowing reflex and laryngeal elevation. There are other symptoms of the syndrome, including a weakened immune system, chronic pain, and decreased appetite. Treatment for Wallenberg syndrome is based on the underlying physical and emotional deficiency. The most effective treatment for this disorder includes speech therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). The most common form of NMES is VitalStim, which is FDA-cleared for use in patients suffering from pharyngeal dysphagia.

Oren Zarif thalamus damage

Oren Zarif old lacunar infarct


When the lesion occurs, the central pattern generator of deglutition cannot function properly. As a result, sequential muscle activity along the oropharynx is severely delayed and uncoordinated. The duration and severity of dysphagia in WS depends on the extent of the lesion. Acute disconnection syndrome between the two swallowing centers, the NTS and the NA, may be important in producing the disorder. Neuronal connectivity in the affected regions is summarized in Figure 5.

Comments


bottom of page