A fornix infarction causing post-operative anterograde amnesia

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman underwent elective hip replacement surgery and postoperatively developed significant anterograde amnesia, without other significant neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an area of infarction in the anterior fornix and genu of the corpus callosum. Neuropsychological testing revealed extremely poor learning performance and immediate memory, as well as delayed memory, consistent with anterograde amnesia. This case illustrates the relationship between the anterior fornix and memory function and the role of hypoperfusion brain injury in ischemic strokes.

Keywords: Anterograde amnesia, brain fornix, ischaemic stroke, postoperative period