A case of isolated nodulus infarction presenting as a vestibular neuritis

Abstract

We reported a patient with cerebellar infarction who presented with purely isolated vertigo, ipsilesional spontaneous nystagmus, and contralesional axial lateropulsion without usual symptoms or signs of cerebellar dysfunction. An MRI of the brain showed a small left cerebellar infarct selectively involving the nodulus. A pure vestibular syndrome in our patient may be explained by ipsilateral involvement of nodulo-vestibular inhibitory projection to vestibular nucleus. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a nodulus infarction in patient with acute vestibular syndrome, even if the pattern of nystagmus and lateropulsion is typical of a vestibular neuritis.