Alien Hand Syndrome Secondary to Acute Anterior Corpus Callosum Infarction Despite Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: A Case Report

Alien hand syndrome is an uncommon yet recognized complication of ischemic stroke. It is characterized by involuntary yet seemingly purposeful limb movements that occur without the patient's volitional control. The syndrome is most commonly associated with injury to the corpus callosum or adjacent medial frontal regions, where interhemispheric motor integration takes place. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with multiple vascular risk factors who developed an acute infarction of the right corpus callosum. She presented with difficulty initiating movement, confusion, transient visual hallucinations, and involuntary movements of the left upper extremity that interfered with voluntary right-hand tasks, consistent with intermanual conflict. CT head and MRI of the brain confirmed ischemic stroke involving the body, genu, and splenium of the right corpus callosum. She was managed with supportive care with continuation of dual antiplatelet therapy, and subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. This case highlights the importance of recognizing alien hand syndrome as a potential complication of callosal stroke in patients with atypical post-stroke motor behavior.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-01-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101688
Primary Topic
Free Will and Agency
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Alien Hand Syndrome Secondary to Acute Anterior Corpus Callosum Infarction Despite Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: A Case Report

Ibrahim Kaleel, Abed Kaleel
Cureus
Free Will and Agency
article

Alien Hand Syndrome Secondary to Acute Anterior Corpus Callosum Infarction Despite Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: A Case Report

Ibrahim Kaleel, Abed Kaleel
article en

Abstract

Alien hand syndrome is an uncommon yet recognized complication of ischemic stroke. It is characterized by involuntary yet seemingly purposeful limb movements that occur without the patient's volitional control. The syndrome is most commonly associated with injury to the corpus callosum or adjacent medial frontal regions, where interhemispheric motor integration takes place. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with multiple vascular risk factors who developed an acute infarction of the right corpus callosum. She presented with difficulty initiating movement, confusion, transient visual hallucinations, and involuntary movements of the left upper extremity that interfered with voluntary right-hand tasks, consistent with intermanual conflict. CT head and MRI of the brain confirmed ischemic stroke involving the body, genu, and splenium of the right corpus callosum. She was managed with supportive care with continuation of dual antiplatelet therapy, and subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. This case highlights the importance of recognizing alien hand syndrome as a potential complication of callosal stroke in patients with atypical post-stroke motor behavior.

CureusVol. 18(1)
Regional Municipality of Waterloo (CA), McMaster University (CA)
Good health and well-being, Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 87%
Free Will and Agency
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