Regarding anterior choroidal aery syndrome, all are true except-
**Core Concept**
Anterior choroidal artery syndrome is a clinical entity caused by occlusion of the anterior choroidal artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid artery. This artery supplies blood to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, the optic tract, the oculomotor nerve, and the posterior cerebral artery territory. The syndrome typically presents with a combination of neurological deficits, including hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, and oculomotor nerve palsy.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The anterior choroidal artery syndrome is characterized by a triad of symptoms: hemiparesis or hemiplegia due to involvement of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, hemisensory loss due to involvement of the spinothalamic tract, and oculomotor nerve palsy due to direct involvement of the nerve or its nucleus. The oculomotor nerve palsy can manifest as ptosis, pupillary dilation, and extraocular muscle weakness. The optic tract is also at risk, leading to contralateral homonymous hemianopia.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This statement is true, as the anterior choroidal artery syndrome can present with hemiparesis or hemiplegia due to involvement of the posterior limb of the internal capsule.
**Option B:** This statement is true, as the anterior choroidal artery syndrome can present with hemisensory loss due to involvement of the spinothalamic tract.
**Option C:** This statement is false, as the anterior choroidal artery syndrome is more commonly associated with oculomotor nerve palsy than with trochlear nerve palsy. The trochlear nerve is the fourth cranial nerve and is responsible for innervating the superior oblique muscle.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The anterior choroidal artery syndrome is often referred to as a "stroke of the brainstem," as it can cause a combination of brainstem and cerebral peduncle symptoms.
**Correct Answer:** C.