Area postrema syndrome caused by medullary infarction

Abstract

In the present study, we report a case of persistent intractable nausea and vomiting after a medullary infarction. Area postrema syndrome due to ischemic stroke is very rare. In this case, brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ischemic lesion in the lateral medulla extending caudally and dorsomedially. The patient presented with sustained nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake over one month after the index stroke, even after resolution of dizziness and disappearance of nystagmus. She did not respond to intravenous metoclopramide with ondansetron. However, their intractable nausea and vomiting eventually resolved with concomitant use of domperidone and itopride orally in addition to intravenous metoclopramide with ondansetron.

Keywords: area postrema syndrome • ischemic stroke • Wallenberg syndrome • medulla.