Lateral Medullary Syndrome was originally believed to be the result of occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. It is now recognised that the picture described may also result from partial occlusion of the basilar artery or occlusion of proximal arteries such as one vertebral artery.
The terms posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke and lateral medullary syndrome are synonyms. It may also be referred to by the eponym "Wallenberg's syndrome".
The syndrome is produced by a wedge-shaped infarction of the lateral medulla and inferior surface of the cerebellum.