Transitory alexia without agraphia following head injury: letter to editor.

A 35 year old right handed female sustained head injury in a road traffic accident. She had transient loss of consciousness followed by gradual recovery. Glasgow coma score on admission was 12/15, and there was no other neurological deficit. Non -contrast CT brain showed a small extradural hematoma over the right temporoparietal region and a small area of hemorrhagic contusion over the left frontal convexity. Her hematological, biochemical and coagulation parameters were within normal limits. Twenty-four hours later, although her GCS was 15/15, she was detected to have profound inability to read. She could not identify individual letters or words, but writing, both spontaneous and to dictation was normal, as was spelling and copying. She could not read her own writing. However, her spontaneous speech, fluency, naming (except colour naming) and auditory comprehension were normal. There was no associated visual field defect, agnosia, acalculia or right left dissociation. Mini-mental examination score was within normal limits. Repeat CT brain did not reveal any change in the appearances of the previously observed lesions, or in the brain. Conservative management was continued and she showed gradual and complete recovery from alexia over the next three days.