A type of neurological disorder that occurs when blood flow is slowed or even stopped to the brainstem is called Wallenberg syndrome. This condition often causes the following symptoms. For example, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, and balance problems. Without treatment, this condition may lead to life-threatening complications and even death.
This neurological disorder often occurs due to an underlying condition, such as a stroke or a blood clot that limits blood flow to the brainstem. People who develop this condition may also experience involuntary eye movements and dizziness.
Sometimes, this condition is called lateral medullary syndrome or posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome according to the damaged areas.
Usually, most people who get treatment notice improvements quite fast. Treatment also helps prevent serious complications.
In general, this is a common condition after a posterior ischemic stroke that often affects about 60,000 people each year in the U.S.
Symptoms
Those who suffer from Wallenberg syndrome usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Loss of sense of taste
- Hiccups
- Hoarse voice
- Swallowing problems
- Problems with coordination and balance
- Pain
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Vision changes (such as double or blurred vision)
- Nystagmus (quick or involuntary eye movements)
Sometimes, Wallenberg syndrome impacts only one side of the body. For instance, some people may lose the feeling of temperature or pain on one side of the body only. This syndrome may progress and worsen the symptoms, usually within a few hours to some days. However, the severity of the symptoms is based on where the damage occurs.
Causes
Most people develop this syndrome due to a brainstem stroke. It often occurs after:
- Damage to the lateral side of the medulla oblongata
- Blockages of the blood flow through the PICA (posterior inferior cerebellar artery) to the cerebellum or the vertebral artery in the brainstem
However, Wallenberg syndrome may also happen due to other less common causes. These include:
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Traumatic head injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vertebral artery dissection
Risk Factors
In rare cases, doctors are not able to find the exact cause of this syndrome. However, experts have identified some factors that could increase your risk of developing Wallenberg syndrome. Check below some examples:
- Tobacco products (including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and others)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- Small vessel disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Cardiogenic embolism
- Subclavian steal syndrome
- Moyamoya disease
- Connective tissue disorders (such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromuscular dysplasia, Marfan syndrome, and others)
However, connective tissue disorders increase the risk of developing Wallenberg syndrome less commonly.
What Are The Possible Complications of Wallenberg Syndrome?
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for people with Wallenberg syndrome. Otherwise, they may experience some serious and even life-threatening complications. Check some examples below:
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Walking problems
- Learning or intellectual disability
- Cognitive deficits
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Permanent damage caused by a stroke
This article does not contain a complete list of complications of Wallenberg syndrome. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
How to Prevent Wallenberg Syndrome?
Unfortunately, there are no ways to prevent this syndrome. However, the following tips may significantly reduce the risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Stop smoking (if you face problems with smoking cessation, do not hesitate to discuss it with your healthcare professional)
- Manage chronic and underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and others)
- Adopt a healthy diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, or whole grains
- Perform physical exercise daily because it helps maintain a healthy weight
- Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages
- Do not take any medicines without a doctor’s permission because it may lead to worsening of the symptoms or other unpleasant results
Diagnosis
Physicians usually diagnose this condition by performing physical and neurological examinations to check for abnormalities linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history. During physical and neurological examinations, they will check for loss of sense of taste or one side of the body. Sometimes, to confirm the condition, doctors perform some tests. The following tests may also help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. These include:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – This is an imaging test that uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of different parts of the body.
- Angiogram
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – This is a quick and painless test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. ECG often helps exclude other conditions and provides more clues about the disease.
Treatment
It is not possible to cure this condition. That’s why treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms and preventing dangerous complications. Check below some treatments often recommended by doctors for people with Wallenberg syndrome:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – This is a medicine given to patients intravenously.
- Anticoagulants (also called blood thinners) to prevent blood clots
- Thrombectomy – During this procedure, doctors will open up the blocked or narrowed artery.
In addition, healthcare professionals may also prescribe some treatments to lessen the symptoms and prevent complications. For example:
- A feeding tube for people who experience swallowing problems
- Physical therapy
- Speech or occupational therapy
- Specific lenses to improve vision changes (such as double vision)
If you experience long-term (chronic) pain, doctors may prescribe additional medications. They often recommend Gabapentin, which is an anti-seizure medicine. Never take medicines without a doctor’s recommendation because they may not work or worsen existing symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cure for Wallenberg syndrome?
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this syndrome. However, there are multiple treatments to lessen the symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications.
When should I see a healthcare provider?
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. if any of the following symptoms occur. Check below some examples:
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Numbness or weakness that occurs on one side of the body only
- Slurred speech
- Swallowing problems
- Balance or coordination issues
At what age does Wallenberg syndrome occur?
According to some studies, this syndrome tends to happen in people over 50 years old. However, it may affect either younger or older people as well. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
