Stern Syndrome

Stern syndrome (or thalamic syndrome) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by unilateral sensory loss in the facial area.

Causes

Stern syndrome is caused by damage to the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus, the region of the brain that receives sensory information from the face and transmits it to the primary somatosensory cortex. The most common causes of damage to this area:

1. Stroke
2. Brain tumors
3. Traumatic brain injury
4. Multiple sclerosis

Symptoms

The main symptoms of Stern syndrome:

1. Loss of sensation on one side of the face - usually in the forehead, eyes, cheeks and mouth. The patient does not feel touch or pain.

2. Taste disturbances in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue on the affected side due to damage to the course of the taste nerves.

3. Decreased tear production in the affected eye.

4. Dizziness and imbalance due to damage to the vestibular nuclei of the thalamus.

Diagnosis is based on medical history, neurological examination and brain imaging (MRI, CT). Treatment depends on the cause and is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. The prognosis ranges from good for reversible causes to poor for inoperable brain tumors.