Thalamic aphasia as an uncommon manifestation of thalamic stroke due to artery of Percheron occlusion: Case report with literature review

Thalamic aphasia (TA) represents a subcortical form of acquired language disorder that is rarely reported in the literature and is characterized by semantic paraphasia with relatively preserved comprehension and repetition. Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts are typically due to the occlusion of the artery of Percheron (AOP). In right-handed patients; TA is mainly reported in the setting of isolated left thalamic lesion, whereas it's rare in the setting of bilateral or right thalamic lesions. The most common manifestations of bilateral paramedian infarction are decreased level of consciousness, cognitive impairment, behavioral disturbances, and vertical gaze abnormalities. Here we describe a 55-year-old right-handed man who developed symptoms of TA secondary to bilateral paramedian infarction of the thalami following occlusion of the AOP.