Clinical analysis of 36 cases of dorsolateral medullary syndrome / 临床神经病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and therapy methods of dorsolateral medullary syndrome.Methods The clinical data of 36 cases of dorsolateral medullary syndrome were analyzed retrospectively.Results The palients presented with acute or sub-acute oneset.Vertigo(83.3%),dysarthria(61.1%),dysphagia(52.8%),Horner's syndrome(80.6%),ataxia(72.2%) and crossed sensory disturbance(50%) were the most common symptoms and signs.MRI examination demonstrated dorsolateral medullary infarction in 32 of 36 patients.13 patients received DSA examination and the results showed 6 patients with different degree disease of vertebral arery,2 patients with isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion,1 patient with vertebral occlusion and ipsilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery stenosis.In 33 patients who received anticoagulation,antiplatelet and activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis therapies,26 patients improved 7~10 days after treatments and the symptoms almost disappeared during 1～2 months.6 cases remained different degree sensory disturbance and ataxia 1 case died.3 patients were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting.The symptoms relieved at the day of operation and recovered completely 1 week after operation.Conclusions Dorsolateral medullary syndrome is a clinical syndrome because of insufficient blood-supply in local blood vessel.MRI is sensitive for the diagnosis of dorsolateral medullary syndrome.The location and degree of the disease can be identified by DSA.Intervention treatment is an effective method in the therapy of dorsolateral medullary syndrome.