Anterior thalamic ischaemic stroke secondary to cardiopulmonary arrest

Authors

• João Luís Cavaco Department of Internal Medicine II, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
• Francisco Capinha Department of Gastroenterology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
• Maria José Pires Department of Internal Medicine II, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
• Ana Furão Rodrigues Department of Internal Medicine II, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
• Ana Oliveira Pedro Department of Internal Medicine II, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
• António Pais de Lacerda Department of Internal Medicine II, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal

joaocavaco@fm.ul.pt

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction: Ischaemic anterior thalamic lesions are rare and can present with disturbances of behaviour and memory. We describe a patient with post-cardiac arrest thalamic stroke.

Case description: A 63-year-old man presented with cardiac arrest, was resuscitated after receiving life support, and showed no lesions on computed tomography. Three days later, he presented with short-term memory disturbance and disorientation, with a de novo anterior thalamic lesion.

Conclusion: The anterior thalamic nucleus, supplied by the posterior communicating artery, is part of the Papez circuit and has a role in modulating behaviour and memory. An anterior thalamic syndrome presents with no sensory-motor deficits.

References