A 55-year-old hypertensive woman presents with acute onset of right-sided Horner syndrome, vertigo, dysphagia, hoarseness, loss of pain and temperature sensation on the right face and left body, and ipsilateral limb ataxia. The affected vessel is
- A Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
- B Superior cerebellar artery
- C Posterior inferior cerebellar artery ✓
- D Basilar artery
Correct answer: C. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Explanation
This is the lateral medullary syndrome (Wallenberg syndrome) caused by occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) or vertebral artery. It produces ipsilateral Horner syndrome (descending sympathetic fibers), palatal palsy (nucleus ambiguus), facial pain/temperature loss (spinal trigeminal nucleus), and contralateral body pain/temperature loss (spinothalamic tract). AICA syndrome adds facial palsy and hearing loss.
Reference: Clinical Neurology (Bradley), 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.