[Central post-stroke pain in Wallenberg syndrome]

No To Shinkei. 2004 May;56(5):385-8.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We analyzed clinical characteristics of central post-stroke pain (CPSP), constant and burning pain, in 32 patients with Wallenberg syndrome due to infarction. CPSP developed in 44% (14/32) of the patients; 8 in acute stage (within 4 days after the stroke) and 8 in chronic stage(10-120 days after the stroke). Apart from one exceptional case, CPSP was present in the hypalgesic side of face and extremities. In 9 cases of typical type (Currier's distribution of sensory disturbance), CPSP occurred in the ipsilateral face to the lesion during acute stage. Among them, 2 cases developed severe lancinating pain in chronic stage. In 5 cases of ventral type, it occurred in the contralateral extremities during chronic stage. Spino- and trigemino-thalamic tract are injured but medullary reticular formation is intact in Wallenberg syndrome. It is, therefore, considered that CPSP in Wallenberg syndrome is caused by denervation sensitivity of "paleo-reticulothalamic" tract within the reticular formation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Facial Pain / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lateral Medullary Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Stroke / complications
  • Stroke / physiopathology*