From Dizziness to Dysphagia: A Complex Presentation of Lateral Medullary Syndrome

Lateral medullary syndrome (LMS), also known as Wallenberg syndrome, is a rare neurological condition most commonly resulting from occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). This syndrome is characterized by a constellation of symptoms including vertigo, ataxia, sensory deficits, and cranial nerve abnormalities, which arise due to infarction of the lateral medulla. We report the case of a 74-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension who presented to the emergency department with acute onset of vertigo and an unsteady gait. Following a diagnosis of LMS confirmed with imaging of the brain, the patient's hospital course was further complicated with the onset of atrial fibrillation and dysphagia, necessitating gastrostomy tube placement. Despite the challenges, early intervention and multidisciplinary care helped stabilize her condition.