Reversible postictal ataxic hemiparesis.
Ataxic hemiparesis (AH) is a clinical entity in which minimal pyramidal weakness is associated with same-sided motor ataxia. It may be caused by a lesion of the pons or of cerebro-cerebellar and corticospinal fibers in other areas. Associated symptoms help in the clinical localization of a syndrome that has to be differentiated from lobar ataxias (frontal, parietal lobe), sensory ataxia accompanying spinal cord, corticospinal weakness and ataxic neuropathy. We report 3 cases of AH caused by a lesion in the contralateral cerebral cortex: 2 were cases of postictal seizure while the third patient had left ataxic hemiparesis, left focal motor seizures and cortical memory loss. All 3 patients recovered within 7 days. AH as a postictal phenomenon has not previously been reported.
Bansal
S K
SK
Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Chopra
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001259:Ataxia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed