Clinical observations in the acute phase of cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction

Three cases of cerebellar hemorrhage and 5 of cerebellar infarction, diagnosed by brain CT, were examined from the early phase of the onset. All of our cases were mild to moderate in severity and were cured satisfactorily within 3 to 8 weeks of medical treatment. Dizziness and nausea were the commonest symptoms and cerebellar and other CNS signs could be detected only for a short period in some of the cases. Although neuro-otological examinations, especially gaze nystagmus, eye tracking and positional nystagmus tests, were useful for diagnosing the central vestibular lesion, no definite indication could be drawn in order to differentiate between cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction. Therefore, it is considered difficult in such mild cerebellar strokes to establish correct diagnosis by physical examinations alone. It was concluded that if central vestibular disorder is suspected, prompt brain CT examination is necessary in order to diagnose mild cases of cerebellar vascular diseases.