Pure Motor Hemiplegia due to Hemorrhage in the Lower Pons

Abstract

Pure motor hemiplegia is a rare syndrome defined by Fisher and Curry¹ as a complete or incomplete paralysis of the face, arm, and leg on one side, unaccompanied by sensory signs, visual defect, dysphasia, or apractognosia. We report an additional case of pure motor hemiplegia due to hemorrhage in the lower pons. REPORT OF A CASE A 45-year-old woman awoke with a sudden occipital headache and weakness of the right limbs on March 3, 1979. During the next two days, her motor deficit developed into a complete paralysis of the right arm and a severe weakness of the right leg. There was no impairment of consciousness, convulsions, diplopia, vertigo, dysphagia, paresthesia, or visual or speech difficulty. Her blood pressure was 210/130 mm Hg and the heart rate was 85 beats per minute. There were no cardiac or carotid bruits. She was alert and oriented and without mental impairment. The