A 32yo woman presents to the ED with headache and vomiting. She was decorating her ceiling
that morning when the headache began, felt mainly occipital with neck pain. Some 2hs later she
felt nauseated, vomited and was unable to walk. She also noticed that her voice had altered. She
takes no reg meds and has no significant PMH. Exam: acuity, field and fundi are normal. She has
upbeat nystagmus in all directions of gaze with normal facial muscles and tongue movements.
Her uvulas deviated to the right and her speech is slurred. Limb exam: left arm past-pointing and
dysdiadochokinesis with reduced pin prick sensation in her right arm and leg. Although power is
normal, she can’t walk as she feels too unsteady. Where is the most likely site of lesion?
a. Right medial medulla
b. Left medial pons
c. Left cerebellar hemisphere
d. Right lateral medulla
e. Left lateral medulla
Answer: E
contraleteral impaired pain sensation is the clincher