Transient hypoglycemic hemiparesis in an elderly patient

A case of hypoglycemic hemiparesis and literature review

An 89-year-old man with diabetes treated with metformin 500 mg/day and glimepiride 4 mg/day was hospitalized because of hypoglycemic right hemiparesis and dysarthria (casual glucose value 1.8 mmol/L), which resolved quickly following administration of 40 mL of 40% dextrose. Hemiparesis is a rare symptom (4.2%) of hypoglycemia. There are about 200 case reports of hypoglycemic hemiparesis. The average glucose level at which hemiparesis developed was 1.8 mmol/L. Right-sided hemiparesis predominated (R 66%; L 34%). On imaging studies, abnormal findings were frequently observed in the internal capsule or splenium of the corpus callosum. The mechanism of hemiparesis is not fully understood. The existence of cases in which hypoglycemia cannot be distinguished from stroke on imaging studies suggests the importance of measurement of the blood glucose level when the symptoms of stroke are first recognized.

Motor aphasia due to prolonged hypoglycaemic coma in a patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

A 45-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic man was in a hypoglycaemic coma for one month but recovered after continuous infusion of glucose and insulin. An isolated neurological deficit, motor aphasia, persisted after recovery from the coma. Repeated computerized tomography did not demonstrate any abnormal findings attributable to coma or aphasia. Precise follow-up examinations of aphasia showed improvement of Broca type motor aphasia to transcortical motor aphasia. Hypoglycaemic aphasia in a patient after recovery from prolonged coma is rare and its clinical course and pathogenesis are discussed with reference to the available literature.

Hypoglycemic hemiplegia: a case study

A 33-year-old man was seen in the emergency room with hypoglycemic hemiparesis of his left side. Hypoglycemic hemiparesis is an underrecognized manifestation of hypoglycemia and can mimic cerebrovascular disease, especially in the elderly. Although this is uncommon, hypoglycemia should be considered a part of the neurologic workup of any patient with a new onset of hemiparesis.

Severe anemia associated with transient neurological deficits

In two patients with carotid artery stenosis and anemia, neurological deficits appeared whenever the hemoglobin level fell below a critical level of 5-6 g/dl and resolved with correction of the anemia. Profound anemia should be considered as a cause of focal neurological deficit, especially if there is evidence of cerebral atherosclerosis.

Hypoglycemic hemiplegia in an adolescent with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a case report and a review of the literature

A case of hypoglycemic hemiparesis in a fifteen-year-old girl with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is described. The initial presentation included left facial paresis and muscular weakness of the left upper and lower extremities, associated with a blood glucose level of 31 mg/dL. The patient recovered completely after a glucose infusion. Her neurological examination became normal within 24 hours and remained so for a follow-up period of 6 months. Hypoglycemic hemiparesis is rarely described in children and adolescents.

[Hypoglycemic hemiplegia. Apropos of a case]

An insulin-dependent 26-year-old woman was complaining of nocturnal attacks of transient right hemiplegia. Hypoglycemia was found to be present at the time of each attack, and further investigations showed that these neurological disorders were related to an overdose of insulin. The authors discuss the effects of hypoglycemia on the brain and the pathogenetic theory of "hypoglycemic hemiplegia", involving selective neuronal vulnerability, regional blood flow disturbances or underlying ischaemic disease.

Hypoglycemic hemiplegia: two cases and a clinical review

Hypoglycemic hemiplegia mimics cerebrovascular disease. Two patients are reported who experienced multiple attacks of transient hemiplegia associated with hypoglycemia and who were initially diagnosed as having transient ischemic attacks. In both, angiography was normal and the attacks resolved with reduction of insulin dose. Recognition of hypoglycemia as the cause of transient hemiplegia is important, often obviating the need for cerebrovascular evaluation.