A case of reversed lateralization of higher cortical function in a right-hander

Abstract

We report the case of an 83-year-old right-handed woman who had neuropsychological disturbances compatible with a right-hemispheric lesion after a massive left-hemispheric infarction. She developed right hemiplegia, right sensory disturbance, right unilateral spatial neglect, anosogonsia, motor impersistence and left neck rotation. Her spontaneous speech, comprehension and repectition were normal. Brain CT and MRI revealed a massive infarction in the whole area of the left middle cerebral artery territory and partial area of the left anterior cerebral artery territory. The patient was right-handed, but she had severe and persistent neucopsychological disturbances compatible with a right-hemispheric lesion without aphasia. She represents a very rare case of reversed lateralization in which the cerebral lateralization of hemispheric functions was reversed.