Posterior-variant alien hand syndrome: clinical features and response to rehabilitation

Abstract

Purpose : This case highlights the clinical features and course of recovery of a patient presenting to the rehabilitation service with posterior-variant alien hand syndrome (AHS) following thalamic stroke. Methods : Single case report. Results : Clinical signs and symptoms included mild hemiparesis, dyspraxia, dysmetria, primary sensory loss and hemispatial neglect. Autonomous movements and personification of the affected extremity which were ego-syntonic in nature were characteristic of posterior-variant AHS. The associated neurological impairments resolved early during the course of rehabilitation and the patient made excellent functional gains. Conclusion : This case highlights the distinguishing features differentiating posterior-variant AHS from more classical AHS and underscores the excellent prognosis of this variant.