A Case of Global Aphasia without Hemiparesis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 18(1); 2000 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2000;18(1): 73-76.

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곽용태, 한일우 ·정민희*·구민성**

용인효자병원 신경과,용인효자병원 재활의학과*,신촌세브란스병원 정신과**

A Case of Global Aphasia without Hemiparesis

Yong-Tae Kwak, M.D., Il-Woo Han, M.D., Hee Cheong, M.D.*, Min-Seong Koo, M.D.**

Department of Neurology, Yong-in Hyoja Geriatric Hospital Department of Rehabilitation, Yong-in Hyoja Geriatric Hospital* Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine**

Abstract

In addition to severe deficits in speech production and auditory comprehension, patients with global aphasia general-ly have a dense hemiplegia. However, acute global aphasia without hemiparesis (GAWH) occurs rarely and only a few cases of GAWH have been reported with variable conclusions regarding lesion localization, etiology, and prognosis. We report an unusual case of GAWH in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission comput-ed tomography (SPECT) revealed only a single lesion of the left superior temporal area. Our case supports the notion that the functional anatomy of aphasia may be complex and that GAWH may have a more benign prognosis than typi-cal global aphasia with hemiparesis. J Korean Neurol Assoc 18(1):73~76, 2000 Key Words : Aphasia, Hemiparesis, MRI, SPECT