Case 26-1998

Presentation of CaseA 15-year-old right-handed girl was admitted to the hospital because of hemiparesis, slurred speech, and urinary retention.The patient had been in excellent health until two and a half weeks earlier, when she began to have urinary urgency but found it difficult to empty her bladder. A few days later she felt unsteady and fell several times. Her handwriting slowed, and she had difficulty articulating her thoughts. Several days before admission, weakness and numbness developed in the right arm and leg, accompanied by right facial droop and slurred speech. On the evening before admission, she was found . . .