Neuro-otological findings in patients with very small (border zone) cerebellar infarcts.

Abstract

Conclusions: The symptoms and signs in patients with very small (border zone) cerebellar infarcts (VSCIs) may mimic those in benign peripheral vestibular disorders, except that smooth pursuit eye movement is disturbed in patients with VSCI.

Objectives: VSCIs are located at the boundary territories between well-defined cerebellar arteries and are frequently manifested by dizziness or vertigo. The aim of the current study was to clarify the clinical characteristics of vestibular symptoms and signs associated with VSCI.

Patients and methods: We studied the neuro-otological findings in five vertiginous patients, who were diagnosed as having VSCI based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results: Four patients complained of only dizziness or only vertigo, and one complained of dizziness with dysarthria. Horizontal spontaneous nystagmus and saccadic eye movement on eye tracking test were observed in all patients, but there were no abnormalities on examinations for saccade, optokinetic pattern, or visual suppression. Canal paresis was present in three patients.