A cerebellar infarction is a type of stroke. Strokes are the result of loss of neurological function due to an obstruction of blood flow within the brain. A stroke is usually caused by a blood clot lodged inside an artery, cutting off the oxygen supply. In a cerebellar infarction, the blockage is in the cerebellar arteries and affects the cerebellar hemispheres of the brain. It is rare for a stroke to occur in the cerebellum, but it can happen.
Stroke that occurs within the cerebellum can be ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are more common and are caused by clogged arteries. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by arterial bleeding. A hemorrhagic cerebellar infarction is a rare occurrence.
The cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem are the main parts of the brain. Responsible for higher-level functioning, the cerebrum is necessary for speech, reasoning, and cognitive functions. The brainstem maintains involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and breathing. The cerebellum is the area of the brain that is necessary for balance, movement, and coordination.
Cerebellar infarction is characterized by headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The most apparent symptoms are problems with walking, balance and coordination. A person who has been affected by a cerebellar infarction may not be able to walk or even go into a coma. The person's hands may also shake.
Doctors diagnose strokes by physical exam and tests. Common tests include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With a CT scan, doctors have the ability to determine if the stroke is caused by a clot or a hemorrhage. A doctor can use an MRI to determine if a stroke has occurred within minutes of it occurring. Blood tests are also done.
Treatment for cerebellar infarction includes a combination of medication, surgery, and rehabilitation. Stroke patients are given thrombolytic drugs to dissolve blood clots inside their blood vessels. Medications are given to lower pressure in the brain and to prevent blood clotting. Rehabilitation involves physical, speech, and occupational therapies.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, as does heart disease, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heart rhythm that causes blood to pool and clot in the upper chambers of the heart, is another main risk. A part of the clot can break off, travel through the vessels to the brain and cause a stroke.
Health experts say that about 25 percent of people who have had a stroke usually regain most of their normal abilities. Most people who die from stroke tend to be older. A person who has had a stroke is at increased risk of having a subsequent stroke.