J S Kim1. 1. Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pure dysarthria, isolated supranuclear facial paresis, and their combination without somatic motor dysfunction are rarely encountered clinical syndromes and have not yet been clearly characterized. METHODS: Thirteen patients (9 men, 4 women; aged 33 to 72 [mean, 56] years) with unilateral strokes who developed dysarthria with or without facial paresis but without somatic motor dysfunction were reviewed in addition to case reports from previous literature. RESULTS: Computed tomographic scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging showed infarcts on the corona radiata in 4 patients, basal ganglia abutting the internal capsule in 3, basal ganglia-corona radiata in 1, pontine base in 3, and cortical-subcortical bulbar motor area in 2. The dysarthria and facial paresis were usually mild and transient, and either one was likely to be unnoticed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that pure dysarthria or isolated facial paresis syndrome be considered as an extreme continuum of dysarthria-facial paresis syndrome, which is likely to be a variant of dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pure dysarthria, isolated supranuclear facial paresis, and their combination without somatic motor dysfunction are rarely encountered clinical syndromes and have not yet been clearly characterized. METHODS: Thirteen patients (9 men, 4 women; aged 33 to 72 [mean, 56] years) with unilateral strokes who developed dysarthria with or without facial paresis but without somatic motor dysfunction were reviewed in addition to case reports from previous literature. RESULTS: Computed tomographic scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging showed infarcts on the corona radiata in 4 patients, basal ganglia abutting the internal capsule in 3, basal ganglia-corona radiata in 1, pontine base in 3, and cortical-subcortical bulbar motor area in 2. The dysarthria and facial paresis were usually mild and transient, and either one was likely to be unnoticed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that pure dysarthria or isolated facial paresis syndrome be considered as an extreme continuum of dysarthria-facial paresis syndrome, which is likely to be a variant of dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome.
Authors: A Arboix; M López-Grau; C Casasnovas; L García-Eroles; J Massons; M Balcells Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 10.154