Anterior thalamic ischaemic stroke secondary to cardiopulmonary arrest

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.

Keywords

• anterior thalamic stroke
• post-cardiopulmonary arrest stroke
• limbic thalamus