The syndrome of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. A clinicopathologic study of two cases.

The clinicopathologic findings in two cases of infarct in the territory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery are presented. A distinction is made between a minimal and a maximal syndrome. In the first case the infarct in the basis pontis correlated well with the existence of a pure motor hemiplegia. In the second case more extensive pontine infarction gave rise to a more classical brainstem syndrome. In 52 anatomical specimens the origin, course and angioarchitecture of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery were studied, showing the variability in supply area. Only the paramedial and intermediolateral territories were found to be mostly constant.