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Ataxic Hemiparesis

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Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders

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Abstract

Ataxic hemiparesis (AH) is characterized by the occurrence of unilateral weakness and pyramidal signs combined with ipsilateral cerebellar-like ataxia. AH was initially considered a lacunar syndrome because it correlated with lacunar infarctions, but subsequent reports have suggested that it is not, in fact, significantly correlated with these infarctions. Indeed, studies have shown that not only lacunar infarction but also cardioembolic and large-artery atherosclerosis can cause AH, with others showing that hemorrhagic strokes, tumors, head trauma, infection, and demyelinating diseases are associated with AH. The pons, corona radiata, thalamus, and internal capsule are the most commonly reported lesion sites in AH; however, cortical lesions have also been observed in some patients with AH. Regardless of the precipitating insult, specific AH symptoms probably result from damage to afferent or efferent cerebellar pathways, while variability in those symptoms probably reflects the size and location of the infarction. Optimal treatment strategies naturally depend on treating the underlying etiology and, to date, have primarily included antithrombotic therapies. The prognosis for AH following ischemic stroke is generally good. In this chapter, the clinical features, lesion topography, treatment, and prognosis of AH are detailed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Chiba Rosai Hospital, Ichihara-shi, Chiba, Japan

    Akiyuki Hiraga

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  1. Akiyuki Hiraga
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Correspondence to Akiyuki Hiraga .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bruxelles, Belgium

    Mario Manto

  2. Scripps Research Institute Dept. Neuropharmacology, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Donna Gruol

  3. Dept. Neurology, Harvard Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jeremy Schmahmann

  4. Gunma University Dept. Integrative Physiology, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

    Noriyuki Koibuchi

  5. Dept Pathology & Immunology & Neuro, Baylor College of Medicine Dept Pathology & Immunology & Neuro, Houston, TX, USA

    Roy Sillitoe

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jeremy D. Schmahmann

  2. CHU-Charleroi, University of Mons, UMons, Charleroi, Belgium

    Mario U. Manto

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Hiraga, A. (2020). Ataxic Hemiparesis. In: Manto, M., Gruol, D., Schmahmann, J., Koibuchi, N., Sillitoe, R. (eds) Handbook of the Cerebellum and Cerebellar Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97911-3_74-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97911-3_74-2

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97911-3

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