Seeing is not believing

Alexia without agraphia is an interesting and distinctive visual disconnection syndrome that results from damage to the dominant left occipital lobe and splenium of the corpus callosum. Although the patient can see individual letters (from the intact right occipital cortex), the damage to the corpus callosum results in disconnection of the transmission of information from the intact right occipital lobe to the intact left angular gyrus. This disconnection produces the symptom of alexia without agraphia. In the acute setting, posterior cerebral artery infarct is the most common cause. Prompt recognition of this unique stroke syndrome might lead to earlier diagnosis and possible treatment with acute thrombolytic therapy. Patients with an acute ischemic stroke who are treated within the therapeutic window may have partial or complete recovery of their vision.
Source: Survey of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Clinical challenges Source Type: research