Rachana KC^1,2,3, Linru Hou^1,2,3, Fei Cheng^1,2, Lili Zhang^1,2

¹First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.

²National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China.

³Tianjin University of TUTCM, Tianjin, China.

Supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China: A case registry study of acupuncture for the treatment of stroke disease (2019YFC0840709).

Corresponding Author: Rachana KC, Acupuncture Department, The First Hospital affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 314 West Anshan Avenue, Tianjin, PR China.

Citation: Rachana KC, Linru Hou, Fei Cheng, Lili Zhang (2025). Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Treating Oculomotor Nerve Palsy and Limb Weakness in a Weber Syndrome Patient: A Case Report. American J Case Rep Clin Imag. 2025; September, 2(2),1-6.

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Abstract

Weber's syndrome, also known as superior alternating hemiplegia, is a rare neurological disorder caused by an infarction in the ventromedial midbrain, leading to ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy and contralateral hemiplegia. This case report describes a 45-year-old female patient who presented with right-sided weakness, speech impairment, and superior gaze palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggested Weber syndrome, indicating midbrain involvement. Acupuncture, a core component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), was administered over four weeks, targeting specific acupoints associated with ocular and neurological function. Selected acupoints included Jingming (BL1), Fengchi (GB20), Baihui (DU20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and some eye-related acupuncture points. Also include Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Xiajuxu (ST39), Yanglingquan (GB34), Yinlingquan (SP9), and so among others to improve limb utilization. The treatment aimed to enhance blood circulation, regulate Qi, and improve neural conduction. Result：After treatment, the patient's eye movement increased, the horizontal rotation range increased from 15 to 25, and the visual field index increased from 60% to 80%. The right hemiplegia was obviously improved. The muscle strength of the right upper limb was 5/5, and that of the proximal right lower limb was 4/5. The Barthel Index rose from 45 to 90, which was greatly improved. Conclusion：Acupuncture demonstrated potential benefits in improving motor function, ocular symptoms, and speech, supporting its use as a complementary therapy for midbrain infarctions. This report highlights acupuncture's role in neurorehabilitation and its potential integration into stroke management protocols.

Keywords: Weber's Syndrome, Acupuncture Treatment, Barthel Index, Acupoints, Superior Hemiplegia.