Vestibular and Ocular Motor Properties in Cerebellar Infarction

The study aimed to determine the patterns of the vestibular and ocular motor findings in cerebellar infarction (CI).

We retrospectively analyzed vestibular and ocular motor test results in 23 CI patients and 32 acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP) patients.

Among CI cases, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was the most commonly affected territory. Vertigo is predominantly observed in patients with infarctions affecting PICA or anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA). Lesions involving the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) mainly result in dizziness. Saccadic intrusion and oscillation, abnormal bilateral smooth pursuit (SP) and abnormal saccades were more prevalent in the CI group than in the AUVP group (all p < 0.05). Horizontal saccades were abnormal in 11 patients (47.8%) with CI. All AUVP patients had normal horizontal saccades. Horizontal SP was impaired in 13 patients (56.5%) with CI, with decreased gain toward both sides in 10 and toward 1 side in 3. Impaired horizontal SP was noted in nine patients (28.1%) with AUVP, with decreased gain toward the contralesional side in all cases. A total of 26.3% (5/19) of patients with CI exhibited subjective visual vertical (SVV) deviation toward the affected side and 31.6% (6/19) toward the unaffected side. In patients with AUVP, 70.0% (21/30) showed SVV deviation toward the affected side.

Vertigo is mainly seen in PICA or AICA infarctions. SCA lesions mostly cause dizziness. Saccadic intrusion and oscillation, abnormal bilateral SP and abnormal saccades contribute to the diagnosis of CI. Moreover, SVV deviation varies depending on the cerebellar structures involved.