Peduncular hallucinosis associated with isolated infarction of the substantia nigra pars reticulata

Abstract

We report the clinicopathological study of an 83-year-old man who abruptly developed complex visual hallucinations, disordered sleep, and mild cognitive impairment that persisted until his death 6 months later. Postmortem neuropathological examination including serial sections through the diencephalon, midbrain, and pons disclosed isolated bilateral infarcts confined to the medial substantia nigra pars reticulata. The findings suggest that destruction of the pars reticulata may be the essential feature to the development of peduncular hallucinosis.