Gastroparesis Following an Isolated Cerebellar Infarct: Case Report

The intricate connections between the GI system and the brainstem have a major role in controlling the motor functions of the gut. The role of cerebellum as a motor coordinator and controller of voluntary movements has been vastly studied. Forty-eight-year-old gentleman presented with complaints of retching and vomiting after oral intake over a period of 3 weeks, after a 3-month-old history of unilateral cerebellar infarct and posterior decompression. After ruling out pharyngeal, laryngeal, and obstructive causes of GI dysfunction, gastric emptying scintigraphy was performed. Gastric emptying scintigraphy showed a gastric retention of 71% of the solid meal after a period of 90 min. Cerebellar bidirectional connections with other nuclei in the brainstem’s centre for swallowing, role in modulation of intestinal motility with substantial evidence has been discussed in detail. The cerebellum works more than a motor coordinator, acting as an essential node linking somatic visceral response in GI motility.