Pseudoradial Nerve Palsy Caused by Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Pseudoperipheral palsy has been used to characterize isolated monoparesis secondary to stroke. Isolated hand nerve palsy is a rare presentation for acute cerebral stroke. Our patient presented with clinical features of typical peripheral radial nerve palsy and a normal computed tomography scan of the head, which, without a detailed history and neurological examination, could have been easily misdiagnosed as a peripheral nerve lesion deferring further investigation for a stroke. We stress the importance of including cerebral infarction as a critical differential diagnosis in patients presenting with sensory-motor deficit in an isolated peripheral nerve pattern. A good history and physical exam can differentiate stroke from peripheral neuropathy as the cause of radial nerve palsy.

Diffuse leukoencephalopathy in a 29-year-old male with hypertensive emergency.

Severe hypertension is associated with multiple symptoms that reflect the end-organ damage effect of rapidly increasing blood pressure. Encephalopathy is a manifestation of the clinical spectrum of hypertensive emergencies. Hypertensive encephalopathy was initially described as part of the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, which mostly involved the parieto-occipital white matter of the brain. A more detailed review of this syndrome reveals many cases where the brain abnormalities are distributed in a more random pattern. We describe a case of diffuse leukoencephalopthy in a young male who presented with altered mental status, ataxia, and blurred vision. This is the most diffuse brain involvement ever described in hypertensive statuses.

A rare case of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is a rare vascular malformation of the spine. Only a limited number of cases of SDAVF have been reported in the current literature. We describe the case of a 74 year old male who presented with gradually progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and bladder dysfunction and was subsequently diagnosed with SDAVF affecting both the thoracic and lumbar spine. The patient later underwent embolization with some improvement in his neurologic symptoms.