Cerebellar infarcts and hemorrhages.

Cerebellar infarction accounts for about 3.4% of all ischemic strokes. Cerebellar syndromes are principally characterized by cerebellar symptoms and signs which depend on the involved vascular territories. In the Perugia Stroke Registry, infarct areas have included the superior cerebellar artery region in 36% of patients, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery region in 12%, and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery region in 40%; 12% of patients have had multiple vascular region involvement. 50% of the patients have had concurrent brainstem infarcts. Cerebellar hemorrhage accounts for about 10% of all intracranial hemorrhages and about 10% of all cerebellar strokes. Both stroke types can be worsened by complications due to a significant mass effect and brainstem compression. These events can lead to clinical deterioration which induces stupor and coma with a very high fatality rate.