Could Dystonia Be Initial Presentation of Corpus Callosum Infarction in Young Age Patients? A Case Report Study ()
1. Introduction
Infarcts of the corpus callosum have not been well documented in the radiologic literature. They are not common [1] . This is most likely due to a rich blood supply from three main arterial systems, especially the anterior cerebral, anterior communicating, and posterior cerebral arteries [2] . Corpus callosum infarcts may present with slowly evolving and/or non-localizing neurologic signs and symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of tumor rather than infarct. In addition, they may exhibit radiologic features more often associated with neoplasm, such as masslike enhancement or extension across the midline, which prompt biopsy. The clinical manifestation of the acute corpus callosum infarction is lack of specificity and complex because it often merges with other location infarction [1] [3] . Thus, it is easily missed diagnosis in the early stage [4] . With the widespread application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), its diagnostic rate is much higher [2] [5] [6] .
2. Case Presentation
A male patient 19 years old, dental student presented to the neurology clinic by sudden onset of dystonic posturing in the trunk with flexion of the trunk on speaking and frequent spontaneous myoclonic jerks at rest, continue during sleep too.
On examination: General examination showed no abnormalities, Neurological examination showed, Dystonia and frequent myoclonic jerks, staccato speech, dysphagia to fluids. With no other cranial nerves abnormalities.
Patient was hospitalized, MRI brain and MRA showed focus of subtle high T2 and FLAIR signals with evidence of diffusion restriction at the splenium of the corpus callosum (Figure 1), ECHO cardiogram was done to detected possible cardiac source of infarction and it showed him to have normal ECHO findings. Complete blood count (CBC) was normal. Protein C is low as 53% (reference is 67 - 195) and Protein S is low as 23% (Reference is 55% - 123%).
Patient was advised to go for transesophegeal ECHO, and Antithrombin III level in blood.
During hospitalization, he was given the followings; Clonazepam 1 mg every 12 hours, lamotrogine 100 mg/12hours, levodopa 12, 5 mg half tablet every 12 hours, clopidogrel 75 mg/24hour.
Patient showed dramatic improvement as regard the involuntary movements.
3. Discussion
Infarcts of the corpus callosum are not common attributed to its rich blood supply from three main arterial systems: the anterior communicating artery, the pericallosal artery, and the posterior pericallosal artery [7] . A detailed description of the vascular supply to the corpus callosum was published by Ture et al. [8] .
The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest fiber bundle that connects cortical and subcortical regions of the brain [9] . It also interconnects both cerebral hemispheres, promoting functional integration of sensory and motor functions [10] . It is anatomically divided into rostrum, genu, body and splenium. The corpus callosum plays an integral role in replaying sensory, motor and cognitive information from homologous regions in the two cerebral hemispheres. Lesions of the corpus callosum can present a diagnostic dilemma, both for the radiologist and the clinician. Clinically, they are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, mainly interhemispheric disconnection syndromes. Patients may experience gait disorders, apraxia, agraphia, tactile anomia, alien hand syndrome and so on [11] [12] .
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Figure 1. MRI diffusion-weighted image and the corresponding ADC showing focus of true diffusion restriction areas seen in splenium of corpus callosum impressive of acute lacunar infarct.
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, the corpus callosum infarction is lack of typical symptoms and signs because it often occurs with other cerebral ischemic lesion. It is reminded of callosal infarction when the patient has consciousness or cognitive change, apraxia, such as alien hand syndrome with mild paralysis. The patients are at higher risk of stroke and the main risk factors are carotid intima thickening or plaque formation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and the cerebral artery stenosis. The hemodynamic disorder after the cerebral large vascular lesions may be the main pathogenesis. Transcranial Doppler TCD and cervical Doppler ultrasound examination can find early hemodynamic disorder to guide the prevention and treatment.
Protein C and S deficiencies could be important causes of stroke in young age.