Cerebellar infarction: analysis of twenty-one cases.

Review of 3000 cranial computed tomography scans performed in the past 7 years at North Carolina Memorial Hospital revealed 21 patients who showed evidence of cerebellar infarction. The presenting symptoms and signs closely resembled benign labyrinthine disease. Five of the patients presented for seemingly unrelated medical problems and had no history suggestive of recent cerebellar insult. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease were common in these patients, and in the majority of instances, the cerebellar deficits were mild and showed progressive resolution. Angiograms demonstrated numerous, often diffuse abnormalities. Computed tomography scanning is mandatory for patients with sudden onset of labyrinthine or cerebellar signs or symptoms. Cerebral angiography is recommended to detect potentially treatable vascular lesions.