Ipsilateral hemiparesis and contralateral lower limb paresis caused by anterior cerebral artery territory infarct

Acute Supratentorial Ischemic Stroke with Ipsilateral Hemiparesis: Pathomechanism and Management Challenges

BACKGROUND

Supratentorial stroke manifesting as ipsilateral hemiparesis is rare. Multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms are possible for this unusual phenomenon and has been previously described. Its implication in therapeutic decision making in a patient with an acute emergent condition has never been discussed. We describe our experience with a patient with this unusual presentation.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 44-year-old woman presented with acute-onset right hemiparesis and left facial weakness. Evaluation with computed tomography angiography showed right M3 segment occlusion. Her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on arrival was 9. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed ongoing ischemia in the right frontotemporal cortex. She underwent endovascular thrombectomy, and complete revascularization was achieved. Postoperatively, the patient experience complete neurologic recovery. Further diffusion tractography imaging showed near-complete nondecussation of corticospinal fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

Discordance between clinical and initial computed tomography angiography findings in a patient with acute ischemic stroke poses a management challenge. Additional imaging to correlate clinical findings in equivocal cases may help in decision making but may significantly delay intervention, and therefore its utility during the short therapeutic window period needs careful consideration. Considering the risks and benefits, timely intervention should be balanced judiciously against appropriate intervention to achieve a positive patient outcome.

False-negative diagnostic imaging of Wallenberg's syndrome by diffuse-weighted imaging: a case report and literature review

Here, we report a case of a 64-year-old female with acute-onset vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. In an emergency imaging examination, the results of computed tomography (CT) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) were negative. However, on 1 day post-hospital admission, a small acute infarct in the posterolateral aspect of the left medulla was detected by DWI. Extra attention should be payed to the false-negative imaging results to avoid diagnosis and treatment delay.