Clinical Profiles of Lateral Medullary Syndromes in a Tertiary Care Center in Chengalpattu District
Keywords:
cholelithiasis/gallstone disease (GD), diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, obesity, risk factorAbstract
Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation, risk factor profile, imaging findings, and outcome in patients diagnosed with Lateral Medullary Syndrome (LMS) in a tertiary care center – Chengalpattu district.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 11 patients diagnosed with LMS presented to General Medicine OPD in Karpaga Vinayaga Institute Of Medical Sciences, Chengalpattu district between January 2023 and January 2025. All patients underwent detailed clinical evaluation, neuroimaging (MRI with MRA), and assessment of vascular risk factors.
Results: Out of 11 patients, 9 were male and 2 were female, with a mean age of 56.3 years. The most common risk factor was diabetes mellitus for 7 patients followed by dyslipidemia for 6 patients and hypertension for 5 patients. All patients presented with limb ataxia and vertigo. Other common findings included nausea and vomiting for 9 patients, dysphagia for 5 patients, hoarseness of voice for 4 patients, hiccups for 4 patients and Horner's syndrome for 6 patients. MRI confirmed dorsolateral medullary infarction in all cases. MRA revealed vertebral artery involvement for 5 patients and Posterior inferior cerebellar artery for 6 patients.
Conclusion: LMS in our cohort predominantly affected older males and was strongly associated with vascular risk factors such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. Ipsilateral limb ataxia and vertigo were consistent findings. Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosis and identifying underlying vascular pathology
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