Abstract

Vertical 'half-and-half' syndrome, characterized by contralateral upward and ipsilateral downward gaze palsy, is a rare variant of vertical eye movement disturbance. Similarly, pseudo-abducens palsy, manifesting as abductive palsy despite no lesion to the pons, constitutes another rare type of eye movement disturbance. Both conditions have been associated with lesions in the thalamo-mesencephalic junction. We present a rare case report detailing a patient exhibiting vertical 'half-and-half' syndrome with ipsilateral pseudo-abducens palsy following a left lacunar infarction of the thalamo-mesencephalic junction. Additionally, we discuss the potential underlying mechanisms contributing to this rare combination of eye movement disorders.