Reversible postictal ataxic hemiparesis.

Ataxic hemiparesis (AH) is a clinical entity in which minimal pyramidal weakness is associated with same-sided motor ataxia. It may be caused by a lesion of the pons or of cerebro-cerebellar and corticospinal fibers in other areas. Associated symptoms help in the clinical localization of a syndrome that has to be differentiated from lobar ataxias (frontal, parietal lobe), sensory ataxia accompanying spinal cord, corticospinal weakness and ataxic neuropathy. We report 3 cases of AH caused by a lesion in the contralateral cerebral cortex: 2 were cases of postictal seizure while the third patient had left ataxic hemiparesis, left focal motor seizures and cortical memory loss. All 3 patients recovered within 7 days. AH as a postictal phenomenon has not previously been reported.