Two cases of Wallenberg's syndrome (chief complaint: vertigo and difficulty in swallowing) analyzed based on the MRI findings

Abstract

We encountered two cases of Wallenberg's syndrome (lateral medullary infarction) and were able to cure both cases. The first case showed a typical crossed dissociated sensitivity disturbance, but the second case as ipsilateral. In these cases the MRI images generally showed a low density and a T2 image showed a high density on the postlateral medullary obolongata. However, in the second case, the lesion occurred only on the right side of the posteroinferior cerebellar hemisphere but not on the medulla oblongata. We speculate that this is because the medullary infarction was incomplete. As a result, the patient made a relatively rapid recovery. In the reported cases of Wallenberg's syndrome, the patients often complained of vertigo as well as difficulty in swallowing. In addition, many of them tend to consult not only an internist but also an otolaryngologist. Hence, we believe that in the future otolaryngologists should increase their knowledge regarding this syndrome in order to better treat such patients.