Gerstmann's syndrome associated with diagnostic cerebral angiography

Abstract

Objective: Gerstmann's syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by right–left disorientation, finger agnosia, agraphia and acalculia. Several causes for the manifestation of this rare syndrome have been reported in previous publications; however, thus far, an association between secondary diagnostic cerebral angiography and Gerstmann's syndrome has not been reported.

Case report: A 48-year-old woman diagnosed with subarachnoid haemorrhage underwent a secondary diagnostic cerebral angiography 7 months after the episode. The patient showed memory impairment, agraphia, acalculia, right–left disorientation, occasional errors in speech and finger agnosia accompanied by an acute infarction in the left middle cerebral artery territory. However, she showed excellent recovery after intensive rehabilitation and conservative treatment.

Conclusion: The previously reported rate of permanent neurological complications associated with diagnostic cerebral angiography was very low (0–0.5%). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of Gerstmann's syndrome as a complication of cerebral angiography. This report discusses the complications associated with the neurological condition and emphasizes the need for early rehabilitation in cases of Gerstmann's syndrome.

• Gerstmann's syndrome
• angiography
• complication