Eye Pain in Dejerine-Roussy Syndrome: A Rare Post-Thalamic Stroke Manifestation - A Case Report

Dejerine-Roussy syndrome presents with contralateral neuropathic pain following a thalamic stroke. Previously reported presentations included contralateral upper and lower extremity pain, along with paralysis, spasticity, and other classic post-stroke manifestations. Facial and eye pain following a stroke is infrequent, and previous reports of facial and eye pain following a stroke are limited to brainstem infarctions.

A 69-year-old male patient reported severe right-sided facial and eye pain following a previous left-sided thalamic hemorrhagic stroke. The patient is positive for multiple vasculopathic risk factors and is continuing residual right arm and leg spastic paralysis management. The patient's neuropathic pain is being treated with gabapentin, amitriptyline, trazodone, and ibuprofen. Interestingly, his facial and ocular pain resolved following cataract removal.

The location of this patients' stroke, and his unique presentation, highlight a rare ocular manifestation clinicians should be aware of for their stroke patients' and their post-stroke management. Further, the unique resolution of this pain prompts more exploration into neuropathic pain treatment.