Persistent Cognitive Impairment after Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic Infarction
Ji-Hyun Lee, MD, Jong-Kuk Kim, MD and Bong-Goo Yoo, MD
Department of Neurology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
ABSTRACT
Background: Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction is rare and characterized by disturbance of consciousness, memory impairment, hypersomnia and impaired vertical eye movement. We report a patient who showed persistent cognitive impairment after bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction. Case Report: A 47-year-old man was admitted due to decreased level of consciousness and hypersomnia. Neurological examination showed bilateral vertical gaze palsy, miosis, and anterograde amnesia. Brain MRI revealed infarction at bilateral paramedian thalamus and midbrain. Neuropsychological test demonstrated verbal memory impairments, personality change, and frontal executive dysfunction, persisted at least 6 months. Conclusions: Our case indicates that bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction may develop persistent cognitive impairment.