Stroke Subtype—Ataxic Hemiparesis

Abstract

Ataxic hemiparesis is a lacunar syndrome of ipsilateral corticospmal and cerebellar- like dysfunction due to supratentorial and brainstem lesions We studied 22 patients with ataxic hemiparesis resulting from brain lesions at three locations: capsular-corona radiata, thalamic, and pontine with regard to (1) their manifestations, (2) the degree and rate of recovery at 12 weeks as measured on the modified Rankm Scale, and (3) factors that may influence recovery The mean age was 67 years. Symptoms and signs were similar in all three groups except qualitative differences observed in the pontine subgroup and to a lesser extent in the thalamic group Age, gender, lateralization, and location were not associated with initial severity. and had no influence on recovery. Twenty (91%) of the 22 patients were in Rankm grades 3-5 at onset, and at 12 weeks only two remained. In this study initial severity and outcome were positively corre lated, and ataxic hemiparesis augurs well with recovery. Key Words: Ataxic hemi paresis— Capsular ataxic hemiparesis—Thalamic ataxic hemiparesis—Pontine ataxic hemiparesis—Rankm Scale—Lacunar syndromes