Dysphagia of acute onset due to unilateral capsulothalamic infarction: Case report

Abstract

Dysphagia due to unilateral capsulothalamic infarct is a rare clinical presentation. The most common reason for dysphagia is stroke. The incidence of dysphagia after stroke ranges from 23% to 50%. Injury to the swallowing areas of the motor cortex and/or their connections to the brainstem may result in dysphagia. We present a case of an unusual localization of an infarct with accompanying dysphagia that had good recovery. On admission, the patient could not swallow and developed cough at each meal. On neurologic examination, the patient had dysphagia and limited weakness in his right hand. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed an acute left capsulothalamic infarct. Dysphagia resolved in one week. We would like to remind the physicians that unilateral capsulothalamic infarction may present with pseudobulbar symptoms. © 2013 by Türkiye Klinikleri.