Walsh & Hoyt: Involvement of the Thalmus and Thalamocortical Projections

The thalamogeniculate artery, a proximal branch of the posterior cerebral artery, supplies the posterior part of the lateral nuclear mass of the thalamus. Occlusion of the thalamogeniculate artery produces the classic thalamic syndrome of Dejerine and Roussy, characterized by complete contralateral hemianesthesia with slight or transient hemiparesis and hemiataxic or choreoathetotic movements of the affected side. The hemianesthesia is usually transitory, but the patient is often left with a ""burning"" or ""ripping"" pain and dysesthesia. These sensations are often most pronounced in the face. Homonymous hemianopia is commonly associated with the thalamic syndrome and signifies occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery proximal to the thalamogeniculate artery. The Dejerine Roussy syndrome is rarely seen in its complete form in patients with thalamic tumors, but it occurs frequently with vascular lesions.