[Cerebellar infarctions]

Infarction of the cerebellum comprises about 1.5 percent of all strokes. The symptoms are initially very similar to those of benign labyrinthitis, and the diagnosis is easy to miss. There are three major causes of clinical deterioration and death: Expansion of the infarct to the brainstem, swelling of the infarcted cerebellum with compression of the brainstem, and hydrocephalus. Surgical intervention may be lifesaving if hydrocephalus develops. Five patients admitted to our department are described. All described sudden vertigo or dizziness, which in three of them was accompanied by headache. All had ataxia. In four this was ipsilateral to the infarction and in one bilateral. Two had slight hemiparesis and plantar inversion. Two patients developed hydrocephalus. One was operated with external drainage. It is important to have this diagnosis in mind in all patients with acute labyrinthine symptoms. Acute CT scanning should be carried out if the patient becomes less conscious.