Understanding the differential diagnosis between central and peripheral nerve involvement is crucial for accurate patient management.
Cerebral infarction can manifest with diverse neurological deficits, sometimes mimicking peripheral nerve injuries.
Observation:
A 52-year-old male presented with progressive weakness and flexion of the right hand and fingers.
Initial brain computed tomography (CT) was normal, but follow-up CT and MR imaging revealed a left frontoparietal lesion consistent with cerebral infarction.
No sensory deficit was noted in the right wrist.
Findings:
The patient was diagnosed with "Pseudoradial nerve palsy" due to a cerebral infarction.
The neurological deficits were attributed to a central nervous system lesion rather than a peripheral nerve injury.
Implications:
This case highlights the importance of advanced neuroimaging in diagnosing stroke presenting with atypical peripheral nerve-like symptoms.
Differentiating central from peripheral neurological deficits requires careful clinical evaluation and appropriate diagnostic imaging.
Recognizing "Pseudoradial nerve palsy" as a potential manifestation of cerebral infarction can prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.