Sensory Useless Hand of Oppenheim: A Rare Case

Abstract

Sensory useless hand of Oppenheim was first described in 1911. It is an unusual presentation of Multiple Sclerosis. It is characterised as a functional disorder with loss of sensory modalities and preserved motor functions. Here the present authors report a case of an 18-year-old girl with acute vague symptoms described as ‘uselessness’ of left hand. Clinical examination of the neurological system was unremarkable. Imaging investigations revealed hyper-intensities in the Middle Cerebral Peduncle (MCP) and pons, suggestive of demyelination. Treatment with Intravenous and oral steroids showed improvement of symptoms. On follow-up patient presented with cerebellar symptoms after previous complete resolution. Imaging studies showed no new lesion suggesting the old lesion responsible for recurrence of new symptoms. This distribution of symptoms of space and time suggests the diagnosis of useless hand of Oppenheim a rare and uncommon presentation of multiple sclerosis.

Keywords

• autoimmune
• multiple sclerosis
• sensory loss
• tumefactive demylination