A unique presentation of monoplegia in an adult male

Abstract

This is a report of a 34-year-old Saudi male who presented to the emergency department of a university hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a 2-day history of sudden left leg weakness and inability to walk. The history was insignificant except for the death of his brother 3 days prior to the onset. His general medical and neurological examinations, lab works, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological studies were all within normal limits. The possibility of a conversion reaction precipitated by grief was considered. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a dissociative (conversion) motor disorder. The patient made steady improvement with cognitive behavioral therapy. The possibility of psychogenic origin should be considered in patients presenting with sudden gross neurological symptoms.

Keywords

• Conversion
• disorder
• dissociative
• grief
• monoparesis