# Area postrema syndrome as the only sign of medullary infarction adjacent to area postrema

## TL;DR

This paper describes a rare case of area postrema syndrome caused by a stroke near the area postrema without other neurological symptoms.

## Contribution

The study highlights the importance of vascular investigation in APS cases without focal neurological impairments.

## Key findings

- APS can result from ischemic lesions near the area postrema without accompanying neurological deficits.
- Vascular assessment is crucial in diagnosing APS cases with unexplained persistent nausea and vomiting.
- Remote lesions suggest involvement of autonomic networks connected to the area postrema.

## Abstract

Area postrema syndrome (APS) is characterized by acute or subacute intractable nausea, vomiting, and/or hiccups lasting for at least 48 h. These symptoms can occur individually or in combination and are typically linked to periventricular brainstem lesions, particularly involving the area postrema (AP). The AP, a highly vascularized circumventricular organ located in the dorsal medulla oblongata, is supplied by the anterior spinal artery and perforating branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), making it susceptible to pathological processes that can lead to APS. APS rarely occurs in stroke patients, but has been seen with ischemic lesions in the medial brachium pontis. The underlying pathophysiology of APS remains unclear, but remote lesions from the AP suggest involvement of an autonomic network of neuronal structures. This article reports a rare case of APS caused by ischemic stroke near the area postrema, without accompanying neurological impairments. The case highlights the importance of vascular investigation in intractable APS cases, even without focal neurological symptoms, and supports the role of neuronal structures connected to the AP in APS development.

•APS is defined by intractable nausea, vomiting, and/or hiccups lasting ≥48h , often due to periventricular brainstem lesions.•APS can result from ischemic lesions within or near the area postrema.•While APS pathophysiology remains unclear, remote lesions suggest involvement of a broader autonomic network.•Comprehensive vascular assessment is essential in unexplained intractable nausea, vomiting, and hiccups.

APS is defined by intractable nausea, vomiting, and/or hiccups lasting ≥48h , often due to periventricular brainstem lesions.

APS can result from ischemic lesions within or near the area postrema.

While APS pathophysiology remains unclear, remote lesions suggest involvement of a broader autonomic network.

Comprehensive vascular assessment is essential in unexplained intractable nausea, vomiting, and hiccups.