Crossed cheiro-oral syndrome

ObjectivesCheiro-oral syndrome is characterized by sensory impairment confined to perioral area and ipsilateral fingers/hand. It results from an involvement of the ascending sensory tracts above the pons. However, a crossed pattern of perioral and acral paresthesia was rarely reported before.Patients and methodsThis study reports the neuroanatomic relationship, course and clinical significance of perioral and contralateral acral paresthesia in four patients. We term it the crossed cheiro-oral syndrome.ResultsAll patients had lateral or dorsolateral medullary infarctions that were ipsilateral to their perioral paresthesia. The contributory origin is considered a diagonal lesion involving the par oralis fibers within the descending trigeminal sensory tract and acral portion of the lateral spinothalamic tract at the lateral portion of medulla oblongata. Despite of a restricted sensory disturbance at initial, progressive neurological disability terminated to Wallenberg's syndrome ensued in three patients and disabling deficits persisted in two of them.ConclusionThe crossed cheiro-oral syndrome seems a mild form of Wallenberg's syndrome. Therefore, it predicts medullary involvement and is also a warning sign for progression.