Ipsilateral hemiparesis in lateral medullary infarction: Clinical investigation of the lesion location on magnetic resonance imaging

Opalski syndrome: A comprehensive systematic review of cases

BACKGROUND

Opalski syndrome, a subtype of lateral medullary syndrome (LMS), poses challenges due to its diverse clinical presentations and potential atypical symptoms. Understanding its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes is crucial for optimizing patient care.

METHODS

A systematic review, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, was conducted to comprehensively analyze Opalski syndrome. Data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were included, with the search conducted in May 2023. Eligible studies spanned from included case reports, case series, and editorial letters.

RESULTS

In the final analysis of 80 studies from 1984 to 2024, a total of 96 patients were evaluated. The analysis revealed a male predominance (76.60 %) with a male-to-female ratio of 3.1:1. Common risk factors included hypertension (63.54 %), diabetes mellitus (32.29 %), smoking (32.39 %), and alcohol consumption (22.91 %). Opalski syndrome cases were reported in 22 countries across 5 continents, with Asia being the most prevalent region (77.08 %). Initial presentations commonly included ataxia or positive finger-to-nose and knee-to-heel tests, dizziness or vertigo, hemiparesis, nystagmus, Horner's sign, and 5th or 7th cranial nerve palsy, all occurring in more than 50 % of cases. Neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were crucial for diagnosis. Despite a mortality rate of 4.16 %, no deaths have been reported since 2014, indicating advancements in clinical management.

CONCLUSION

Targeted risk factor management, early recognition of symptoms, and utilization of advanced neuroimaging techniques are essential for optimizing patient outcomes. Clinicians must remain informed about Opalski syndrome to enhance diagnostic accuracy and tailor treatment strategies.

Anatomic and MRI bases for medullary infarctions with patients' presentation

OBJECTIVE

There is a low incidence of the medullary infarctions and sparse data about the vascular territories, as well as a correlation among the anatomic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurologic signs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Arteries of the 10 right and left sides of the brain stem were injected with India ink, fixed in formalin and microdissected. The enrolled 34 patients with medullary infarctions underwent a neurologic, MRI and Doppler examination.

RESULTS

Four types of the infarctions were distinguished according to the involved vascular territories. The isolated medial medullary infarctions (MMIs) were present in 14.7%. The complete MMIs comprised one bilateral infarction (2.9%), whilst the incomplete and partial MMIs were observed in 5.9% and 8.9%, respectively. The anterolateral infarctions (ALMIs) were very rare (2.9%). The complete and incomplete lateral infarctions (LMIs), noted in 35.3%, comprised 11.8% and 23.6%, respectively, that is, the anterior (5.9%), posterior (8.9%), deep (2.9%), and peripheral (5.9%). Dorsal ischemic lesions (DMIs) occurred in 11.8%, either as a complete (2.9%), or isolated lateral (5.9%) or medial infarctions (2.9%). The remaining ischemic regions belonged to various combined infarctions of the MMI, ALMI, LMI and DMI (35.3%). The infarctions most often affected the upper medulla (47.1%), middle (11.8%), or both (29.5%). Several motor and sensory signs were manifested following infarctions, including vestibular, cerebellar, ocular, sympathetic, respiratory and auditory symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a good correlation among the vascular territories, MRI ischemia features, and neurologic findings regarding the medullary infarctions.