Cheiro-Oral Syndrome as a Clinical Clue to Thalamic Lacunar Infarction: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Challenges
Moataz Ahmed Salama, Asma Al Hammadi, Yousif Osman, Mohamed Faisal, Mohamed Ismail Elakaba
Lacunar infarcts represent a specific category of ischemic strokes that impact deep penetrating arteries.
Cheiro-oral syndrome (COS) is a rare neurological manifestation of lacunar infarcts, marked by sensory
disturbances in the perioral area and the ipsilateral hand. We report a 56-year-old male presented with
recurrent right-sided paresthesias affecting the face, tongue, and upper limb. Ultimately leading to a
diagnosis of a lacunar infarct in the left lateral thalamus. Initial CT brain was unremarkable; however,
MRI brain indicated an acute lacunar infarct in the left thalamus. This case highlights the clinical
significance of identifying COS as a manifestation of thalamic stroke and stresses the necessity for
heightened clinical suspicion and prompt MRI in atypical presentations to facilitate timely secondary
prevention.
