Gerstmann’s Syndrome

Synonyms

Angular gyrus syndrome

Definition

A collection of symptoms which includes finger agnosia, right-left disorientation, dyscalculia, and agraphia. There is controversy as to whether this constellation of deficits should be considered a “syndrome,” as the four elements can occur in various partial combinations as well as with a number of other neurobehavioral symptoms. However, there is greater consensus that if all four symptoms are present, there is a high level of probability that constructional deficits will also be present and the lesion will include the angular gyrus of the left hemisphere. While most frequently seen in adults following left parietal strokes, occasionally this same tetrad of symptoms, usually along with other deficits such as constructional and reading difficulties, can be found in children. The term “developmental Gerstmann’s syndrome” has been applied in these latter instances. However, a controversy similar to that seen in adult populations exist with...