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Frequency and course of pure motor hemiparesis: a clinical study
Abstract:
A review of 850 acute unselected stroke cases at Harlem Hospital found only 25 (3%) who met a clinical definition of pure motor hemiparesis. Compared to other cerebral infarction survivors, the 23 pure motor syndrome survivors were slightly younger, not much more often hypertensive and did not make a faster recovery. The degree of motor deficit a year later was nearly the same in both groups. Brain scans were positive in one-third of the pure motor patients, which suggests that this clinical picture may be associated with larger brain lesions than had been suspected before, as well as with lacunar infarction.
Insights
Pure motor hemiparesis is rare in acute stroke cases, affecting only 3% of patients. Survivors showed similar long-term motor deficits and recovery compared to other stroke types, with brain scans suggesting larger lesions than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Stroke Medicine
- Clinical Neurosciences
Background:
- Pure motor hemiparesis is a specific stroke presentation.
- Previous understanding of its clinical course and underlying pathology is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of pure motor hemiparesis in acute stroke patients.
- To compare the clinical characteristics, recovery, and lesion characteristics of pure motor hemiparesis with other stroke types.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 850 acute stroke cases.
- Clinical assessment of motor deficits.
- Analysis of brain imaging findings.
Main Results:
- Only 3% of 850 acute stroke cases met the criteria for pure motor hemiparesis.
- Pure motor syndrome survivors were similar in age and hypertension rates to other stroke survivors.
- Motor deficit recovery and degree of deficit at one year were comparable between groups.
- Brain scans revealed lesions in one-third of pure motor hemiparesis patients.
Conclusions:
- Pure motor hemiparesis is an uncommon stroke presentation.
- The clinical recovery and long-term motor deficits are similar to other cerebral infarction types.
- Brain imaging suggests that pure motor hemiparesis may be associated with larger lesions than lacunar infarction alone.