Clinical Profile and Localization of Ataxic Hemiparesis as a Lacunar Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Ataxic hemiparesis is a stroke syndrome in which the main features are unusual combination of weakness and cerebellar-like ataxia involving the limb on the same side. We describe an analysis of 17 patients with ataxic hemiparesis who underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Ten patients had lacunar infarction in the contralateral pons. In six, lesions were found in the contralateral thalamus and the posterior limb of internal capsule. In one patient, infarct was located in the contralateral midbrain, They showed different clinical manifestations depending on the sites of lesion. This study may suggest that variable sites of lesion can cause ataxic hemiparesis and different clinical manifestations.