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[Cerebral infarct and pure sensory deficit]
J P Decroix1, P Graveleau, M Masson
1Clinique Neurologique, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy.
Revue Neurologique
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Vascular-origin sensory deficits often stem from thalamic lesions. This study reveals varied causes and locations, including internal capsule infarcts and hemorrhages, challenging the thalamic lacuna assumption.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Pure sensory deficits are typically attributed to thalamic lacunar infarcts.
- However, diverse vascular etiologies and lesion locations can cause these symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diverse vascular causes and neuroanatomical sites of pure sensory deficits.
- To challenge the conventional attribution to thalamic lacunae.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of twenty patients with pure sensory deficits of vascular origin.
- Neuroimaging (CT scan and MRI) was utilized in eleven cases to identify lesion location and type.
Main Results:
- Vascular lesions were identified in 11 patients: 9 with infarcts and 2 with hemorrhages.
- The ventro-postero-lateral nucleus was implicated in only 4 cases; 4 cases showed infarcts in the posterior limb of the internal capsule.
- Other lesions included thalamic and pontine hemorrhages. Common causes were hypertension (11 cases), cardiac embolism (4 cases), and diabetes (4 cases).
Conclusions:
- Pure sensory deficits can result from a broader range of vascular lesions beyond thalamic lacunae.
- Internal capsule infarcts and hemorrhages are significant alternative causes.
- Hypertension is a major contributing factor.