CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL
Hemiparesis is a neurological condition characterised by weakness or partial paralysis of the arm and leg on the same side of the body. This weakness results from damage to motor pathways in the brain or spinal cord that disrupts the nerve signals controlling the muscles on that side. The most common cause of hemiparesis is stroke, which can affect different arterial territories in the brain. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis and patient recovery.
Condition | Clinical Symptoms and Signs | Suspected Diagnosis | Confirmatory Diagnosis |
Superior branch occlusion of the anterior cerebral artery | Weakness and sensory loss in the contralateral leg, sphincter control issues, abulia | Clinical history, neurological exam, predominant leg weakness | Brain MRI, cerebral angiography |
Perforating branch occlusion of the middle cerebral artery | Severe hemiparesis, sensory loss, aphasia if affecting the dominant hemisphere | Clinical history, neurological exam, severe hemiparesis | Brain MRI, cerebral angiography |
Complete infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory | Contralateral hemiparesis, sensory loss, gaze deviation, global aphasia if affecting the dominant hemisphere | Clinical history, neurological exam, signs of extensive infarction | Brain MRI, cerebral angiography |
Posterior cerebral artery infarction | Contralateral homonymous hemianopia, visual deficits, mild contralateral weakness | Clinical history, neurological exam, visual disturbances | Brain MRI, cerebral angiography |
Anterior cerebral artery infarction | Contralateral leg weakness and sensory loss, abulia, behavioural changes | Clinical history, neurological exam, predominant leg weakness | Brain MRI, cerebral angiography |
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