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Recurrent alien hand syndrome in a multiple sclerosis case.
Asli Kurne1, Gul Yalcin Cakmakli, Rana Karabudak
1Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
The Neurologist
|September 12, 2008
Summary
Alien hand syndrome, where a hand acts on its own, is rarely seen in multiple sclerosis (MS). This case highlights callosal MS lesions causing alien hand syndrome symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Demyelinating Diseases
Background:
- Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a limb's involuntary, independent movement.
- While associated with various brain lesions, its occurrence in multiple sclerosis (MS) is infrequently documented.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old female diagnosed with multiple sclerosis presented with recurrent episodes of alien hand syndrome.
- Clinical evaluation and cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed demyelinating lesions specifically in the corpus callosum.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms were recurrent and initially misattributed as multiple sclerosis exacerbations.
- The observed symptoms and lesion location in the corpus callosum allowed for classification as a "callosal alien hand" case.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering alien hand syndrome in MS patients with specific neurological presentations.
- Understanding the link between callosal lesions and alien hand syndrome in MS can refine diagnostic approaches.
- Further research into the neuroanatomical basis of alien hand syndrome in demyelinating diseases is warranted.
