National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Wallenberg syndrome


Other Names:
Lateral medullary syndrome; Posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome; PICA syndrome; Lateral medullary syndrome; Posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome; PICA syndrome; Vertebral artery syndrome; Wallenberg's syndrome See More
Wallenberg syndrome is a condition that affects the nervous system. Signs and symptoms may include swallowing difficulties, dizziness, hoarseness, nausea and vomiting, nystagmus, and problems with balance. Some people have uncontrollable hiccups, loss of pain and temperature sensation on one side of the face, and/or weakness or numbness on one side of the body. Wallenberg syndrome is often caused by a stroke in the brain stem. Treatment addresses each symptom and may include a feeding tube for swallowing problems, speech and/or swallowing therapy, and medication for pain. While some people's symptoms may improve within weeks or months, others may have long-term neurological problems.[1]
Last updated: 5/22/2017
Wallenberg syndrome may cause a variety of symptoms depending on the specific cause and the exact location of the damage to the brain. Symptoms may include:[2][1]
  • pain and temperature sensory loss on one side of the face as well as on the opposite side of the body
  • rapid involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus)
  • problems with balance and gait (walking) coordination
  • vomiting
  • vertigo
  • nystagmus
  • dysphagia
  • hoarseness
  • uncontrollable hiccups
  • Horner syndrome (decreased pupil size, a drooping eyelid and decreased sweating on the affected side of the face) with visual deficits
Last updated: 5/23/2017
The most common underlying cause of Wallenberg syndrome is a brain stem stroke in the vertebral or posterior inferior cerebellar arteries of the brain stem.[1][3] However, several other disorders or conditions reportedly have been associated with Wallenberg syndrome, including:[3][4][5][6][7]

  • mechanical trauma to the vertebral artery in the neck
  • vertebral arteritis (inflammation of the wall of the artery)
  • metastatic cancer
  • hematoma
  •  aneurysm of the vertebral artery
  • herpetic brainstem encephalitis (relating to herpes)
  • head injury
  • arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
  • multiple sclerosis
  •  varicella infection
  • brainstem tuberculoma (a rare form of tuberculosis)
    • Last updated: 5/23/2017
    Treatment for Wallenberg syndrome focuses primarily on relieving symptoms and rehabilitation. A feeding tube may be needed for severe swallowing problems. Speech and/or swallowing therapy may be helpful. Medications may be used to control pain.[1] Treatment may also depend on the underlying cause and/or how quickly it is identified.
    Last updated: 5/23/2017
    The long-term outlook for someone with Wallenberg syndrome depends on the size and location of the area of the brain that is damaged. Some people have improvement of symptoms within weeks or months, while others are left with significant neurological problems for years.[1]
    Last updated: 5/23/2017

    Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

    Organizations Supporting this Disease

    Organizations Providing General Support

    These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

    Where to Start

    • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
    • The The Internet Stroke Center, a project supported in part by the NIH Specialized Programs of Translational Research in Acute Stroke (SPOTRIAS) Network and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), offers information on Wallenberg syndrome.

    In-Depth Information

    • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
    • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Wallenberg syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

    Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

    1. Wallenberg's Syndrome Information Page. NINDS. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/wallenbergs-syndrome-information-page#disorders-r1. Accessed 5/22/2017.
    2. Louis DW, Dholakia N, Raymond MJ. Wallenberg Syndrome with Associated Motor Weakness in a Two-Week-Postpartum Female. Case Rep Neurol. September 23, 2015; 7(3):186-190. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4611068/.
    3. Qiu W, Wu JS, Carroll WM, Mastaglia FL, Kermode AG. Wallenberg syndrome caused by multiple sclerosis mimicking stroke. J Clin Neurosci. December 2009; 16(12):1700-1702. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19800798.
    4. DB Smith and BK Demasters. Demyelinating disease presenting as Wallenberg's syndrome. Report of a patient. Stroke. 1981; 12:877-888. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/12/6/877.long.
    5. S.O. Kovacs, K. Kuban, R. Strand. Lateral medullary syndrome following varicella infection. Am J Dis Child. 1993; 147:823-825. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8352215.
    6. M.J. Lawson-Smith, S.J. Smith, J.C. Leach et al. Lateral medullary syndrome caused by penetrating head injury. J Clin Neurosci. 2006; 13:792-794. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16914313.
    7. Verma R, Sharma P. Lateral medullary syndrome due to brain stem tuberculoma. J Assoc Physicians India. June 2011; 59:382-384. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21751596.