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Informative Article | Obstetrics and Gynecology | India | Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024 | Rating: 5.4 / 10

Postpartum Thalamic Infarct: A Rare Case

Dr Kamini Rai | Dr. Anuptha Shetty | Dr. Saraswathi N. | Dr. Lynsel Hilda Texeira ^[2]

Abstract: There is an increased risk of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period with the risk greatest deemed to be in the immediate postpartum period. Stroke is an important contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. We present a rare case of postpartum ischemic stroke. A 22 years old woman with nil comorbidities on postnatal day 2 following late preterm vaginal delivery presented with visual disturbance (diplopia, ptosis of left eye) diffuse headache, hypotension and ataxic gait disturbance. An MRI of the head revealed area of DW1 restriction with corresponding ADC hypointensity in the right thalamus extending to involve midbrain on the right side. No signal intensities changes in the FLAIR resulting in DW1 - FLAIR mismatch. These finding suggest hyperacute infarct in thalamus also involving right midbrain. She was started on antiplatelet therapy and anticonvulsant. On postnatal day 6 patient was symptomatically better with no sign of diplopia, ataxia, and drowsiness. The risk of a stroke is most significant during the two weeks following childbirth and may remain elevated for 12 or more weeks after delivery. This study concludes that thalamic infarct in postpartum period should not be neglected even in vaginal deliveries and prompt interventions can save the patients from lifetime morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: postpartum, ischemic stroke, pregnancy, humans, vaginal deliveries, complications

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024,

Pages: 1597 - 1598