PICA Syndrome happens if there is blockage of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery. It has characteristic signs and symptoms of cerebellar and brainstem dysfunction. It is also called Wallenberg Syndrome.

Clinical Features

PICA syndrome (also known as lateral medullary syndrome) presents with the following symptoms:

• contralateral deficits in pain and temperature sensation from body (dysfunction of spinothalamic tract);
• ipsilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation from face (dysfunction of nucleus of trigeminal nerve);
• ipsilateral dysphagia, hoarseness, diminished gag reflex (dysfunction of vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves);
• vestibular dysfunction (vertigo, diplopia, nystagmus, vomiting);
• ipsilateral Horner's syndrome (dysfunction of descending sympathetic fibers).

Patient may present with ataxia on the side of lesion.There may also be decreased gag reflex on the side of lesion.Patient might present with hiccoughs.There will be face numbness on side of the lesion whereas there will be contralateral body numbness.Patient can also present with Horner's Syndrome on the same side as the lesion. Neurology | Medical emergencies | Cardiovascular diseases | Neurological disorders | Causes of death