Ataxia in Thalamic Stroke

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 14(1); 1996 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1996;14(1): 69-73.

시상부 뇌졸중에서의 운동실조증

윤성상, 장대일, 정경천

경희대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Ataxia in Thalamic Stroke

Sung-sang Yoon, M.D., Dae-il Chang, M.D., Kyung-cheon Chung, M.D.

Department of Neurology Kyung-Hee University College of Medicine

Abstract

Backgound & Purpose : Of thalamic stroke syndrome, according to previous reports, the syndrome of hemiataxia and hemisensory loss (thalamic ataxia syndrome) is known to have localizing value confined to the lesion of posterolateral thalamus. And ataxia in thalamic ataxia syndrome is due to interruption of cerebellar outflow pathways. We observed the clinical characteristics of cerebellar manifestations in patients with thalamic ataxia syndrome to clarify intrathalamic cerebellar pathways because it is known that parts of cerebellar efferent fibers do not pass through the thalamus. Methods : Ten patients with ataxia (5 men, 5 women ; mean age 64), out of 47 thalamic stroke patients admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to May. 1995, were selected. The localization of the lesion was based on CT or MR imaging and ataxia was characterized in view of cerebellar functions - coordination of movement, regulation of equilibrium and muscle tone. Results : Out of 10 patients, 4 patients were thalamic hematoma, 4 patients thalamic hematoma with intraventricular hemorrhage, 2 patients thalamic infarction. Four patients were hemiataxia-hemiparesis-hemisensory loss, 4 patients hemiataxia-hemisensory loss, 2 patients hemiataxia-hemiparesis. Posterolateral thalamus was involved in 4 patients, dorsal thalamus in 3 patients, posterolateral and dorsal thalamus in 3 patients. All patients had dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia, kinetic tremor. Two patient has gait ataxia. Speech and ocular motility disturbances were not noted. Conclusion : Thalamic ataxia syndrome appeared in the lesion of posterolateral and dorsal thalamus. Common cerebellar manifestations symptoms of incoordination. Key Words : Cerebellar manifestation, Thalamic stroke