Cerebral hemisphere infarcts

Cerebral hemisphere infarcts account for approximately 50% of strokes.

Possible clinical features suggesting a cerebral hemisphere infarct include:

• contralateral hemiplegia: the limb first becomes flaccid, and there is consequent development of spasticity
• homonymous hemianopia
• sensory loss
• dysphasia - if the site of the lesion is in the left - usually the dominant - cerebral hemisphere then language functions will be affected. In right-sided cerebral infarcts there is likely to be neglect of the contralateral limbs, constructional or dressing apraxia, and topographical agnosia.
• upper motor neurone signs