Clinico- Radiological Profile and Outcome of Isolated Paramedian Hemipontine Infarcts.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinico- radiological profile and outcome of isolated paramedian hemipontine infarcts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cross- sectional study. 50 consecutive patients admitted between January 2019 and December 2020 with a diagnosis of isolated paramedian hemipontine stroke were included. The locations of the infarcts were classified as follows- caudal; middle; rostral; dorsomedian; caudal and middle; and middle and rostral pons. The clinico- radiological profiles were studied and the outcomes were assessed using NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and mRS (modified Rankin score). Data was analysed using SPSS 22 version software. Paired t-test was used as a test of significance to identify the mean differences between the two quantitative variables.

RESULTS: Majority of the subjects were 51- 60 years (34 percent). The most common risk factors were hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most common clinical features were hemiparesis and speech disturbances. Pure motor hemiparesis (PMH) is the common syndrome seen in paramedian hemipontine strokes with infarcts located in caudal; middle; caudal and middle; and middle and rostral pons. In ataxic hemiparesis, infarcts were located in dorsomedian pons. In dysarthria clumsy hand syndrome, infarcts were located at rostral pons. 44 percent of the subjects had left vertebral artery abnormality. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean NIHSS and mRS when compared at admission/ discharge and at 3 months.

CONCLUSION: Isolated paramedian hemipontine stroke syndromes have good topographical correlation with patients usually having a good functional outcome at the end of three months.