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Diseases » Alternating Hemiplegia » Causes

Causes of Alternating Hemiplegia

Contents

List of causes of Alternating Hemiplegia

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Alternating Hemiplegia) that could possibly cause Alternating Hemiplegia includes:

Migraine - the Benign Alternating Hemiplegia subtype may be related to migraine.

Alternating Hemiplegia Causes: Book Excerpts

Differential Diagnosis - Hemiparesis & Hemiplegia

What causes Alternating Hemiplegia?

Causes: Alternating Hemiplegia: Unknown.
The cause of the disorder is unknown. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Alternating Hemiplegia Information Page: NINDS)

Related information on causes of Alternating Hemiplegia:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Alternating Hemiplegia may be found in:

Hidden causes of Alternating Hemiplegia

Causes of Alternating Hemiplegia: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Alternating Hemiplegia.

Hemiparesis & Hemiplegia: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

Cerebrovascular disease is the most common cause of acute hemiparesis or hemiplegia
–Infarction (thromboembolic)
–Intracerebral hemorrhage
–Transient ischemic attacks may produce a transient hemiplegia or paresis (though they are defined as cerebrovascular deficits that resolve within 24 hours, most TIAs last only minutes)
–RINDs last 24–72 hours

Chronic subdural hematoma
Demyelinating disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome)
Trauma
Congenital (e.g., cerebral palsy, congenital structural anomalies)
Brain tumors (primary or metastatic)
Cerebral abscess
Complicated migraine
Inflammatory conditions (e.g., cerebral vasculitis)
Postictal (Todd's) paralysis

Psychogenic or hysterical weakness
–These patients usually lack associated physical findings such as hyperreflexia or Babinski's signs, and may also exhibit inconsistent or nonphysiologic patterns of weakness

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
–May present initially with asymmetric weakness, but more diffuse involvement develops over time
- Brown-Séquard syndrome (spinal cord hemisection)
  –Leads to weakness, upper motor neuron signs, and impaired proprioception and vibratory sensation ipsilateral to the lesion
  –Impaired pain and temperature sensation contralateral to the lesion
- Meningitis
- Syphilis
- Transverse myelitis
- Periodic paralysis