[Intracerebral haematoma during a stress test]

We report the case of a 64 year-old moderately hypertensive patient investigated for dyspnoea on exertion with no chest pain. After informing the patient, an ergometric test following a gentle protocol was performed, according to the French Society of Cardiology guidelines. At the peak of effort the patient developed a sudden left hemiplegia with a right capsulo-thalamic haematoma on cranial CT. No other case has been described and a literature search showed no relationship between physical effort and cerebral haematoma. Following an administrative tribunal enquiry, no medical fault was attributed regarding the indication and performing the test; no failure to inform could be established for a risk that was unknown at the time of the test.