Ramsay hunt syndrome complicated by contralateral cerebral infarction

Varicella-zoster virus has been associated with a variety of neurological manifestations. We describe a patient with the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome who developed a contralateral cerebral infarction. (AU)

Hypertension and the brain

Major brain illnesses attributable to arterial hypertension include: (a) Infarction - Cerebral/Lacunar (b) Encephalopathy (c) Haemorrhage. Arterial hypertension affects the capacity of the crebral arteries to volumetrically regulate CBF and causes structural changes in the arterial wall. The deficits resulting from lacunar infarction can be substanial if important structures are involved. Primary hypertensive brain haemorrhage has been called an "Oh, my head" syndrome, because these words are often among the last conscious utterances of the affected patient. The putamen, internal capsule and thalamus are the most common sites of origin for hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage and are best distinguished clinically by examination of eye movement. In patients with primary hypertensive intracerebellar haemorrhage, rapid surgical intervention can yield gratifying results. The decline in the incidence of strokes correlates positively with improving detection and more efficient treatment of vascular hypertension. The only adequate treatment of stroke is prevention (AU)