Florid Autonomic Features Associated with Medullary Lacunar Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Autonomic nuclei affection results in variations in hemodynamics, temperature, sweating and ECG. Medullary strokes are challenging in their presentation, bizarre clinical signs, work and neurological outcome. The commonest cause is infarction of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Anatomical areas affected include the inferior cerebellar peduncle, dorsolateral medulla, nuclei of the Trigeminal, vestibular nuclei, Ninth and Vagus nerves. The descending sympathetic tracts and spin thalamic tracts. Serious cardiopulmonary events can complicate 11% of cases. Case Presentation: A middle-aged female developed sub-acute dizziness associated with vomiting and right head pains. She was unable to walk but remained cognitively clear. Her gastrointestinal symptoms were disabling and this was the main factor for presenting to the emergency room. The risk factors included hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Imaging studies were essential for posterior circulation stroke diagnosis and follow-up. She manifested remarkable autonomic features regarding the skin and hemodynamics. Nevertheless, the hospital course was controllable. Discussion: This case report was consistent with relevant literature in the contra lateral vaso motor changes and drop in body temperature during the acute phase. Moreover, our patient developed clinical and radiological extension through double antiplatelets. Superiority of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in this patient enabled better diagnostic accuracy in a brainstem stroke. Conclusion: The autonomic features, in this case, represent major symptomatology and clinical signs. The variation in the hemodynamics and persistence of symptoms is thought provoking. This increases the awareness of emergency doctors for acute stroke presenting with autonomic features will enable early detection and helps outcome.