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Unilateral thalamic infarction presenting as vertical gaze palsy: a case report
Muhib Khan1, Christos Sidiropoulos, Panayiotis Mitsias
1Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI, USA. mkhan4@hfhs.org.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|November 2, 2011
Summary
Unilateral thalamic infarction can cause vertical gaze palsy, a condition typically linked to midbrain lesions. This case highlights the thalamus
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Vertical gaze palsy is commonly associated with midbrain lesions.
- Thalamic infarction is a rare cause of vertical gaze palsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of vertical gaze palsy resulting from unilateral thalamic infarction.
- To suggest a potential role of the thalamus in vertical gaze control.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 48-year-old woman with vertical gaze palsy.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging confirmed left medial thalamic infarct.
- Etiology identified as small vessel disease.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with isolated vertical gaze palsy.
- Imaging revealed a thalamic infarct without midbrain involvement.
- Small vessel disease was confirmed as the cause.
Conclusions:
- The thalamus may play a role in vertical gaze control.
- Further clinicoradiological studies are needed to elucidate the thalamus' function in vertical gaze.
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