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Combined thalamic ptosis and astasia
1Neuroscience Institute, 580 West Eighth Street, Plaza 1, 9th Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.
Summary
This study reports a rare case of combined ptosis and astasia due to thalamic infarction. This finding expands understanding of stroke-related neurological deficits, particularly in the thalamus.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
Background:
- Thalamic strokes can cause various neurological deficits, including isolated cases of astasia (gait disturbance) or ptosis (drooping eyelid).
- Previous literature has documented these symptoms individually in relation to thalamic infarction.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old male with hypertension presented with left ptosis and gait disturbance.
- Neurological examination revealed intact motor strength and normal sensory function.
- Brain MRI identified a subacute infarction exclusively in the anteromedial-medial left thalamus.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported instance of combined ptosis and astasia associated with thalamic infarction in the English literature.
- A review of existing literature identified 11 patients with thalamic ptosis and 21 with thalamic astasia.
- Exclusion criteria ensured that reported symptoms were directly attributable to thalamic lesions, ruling out other potential causes.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for complex neurological presentations from focal thalamic lesions.
- Understanding these specific symptom combinations can aid in more accurate diagnosis and localization of thalamic strokes.
- Further research into thalamic stroke syndromes may reveal more nuanced patterns of neurological dysfunction.
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