Hypoglycemia-induced hemichorea in a patient with Fahr's syndrome

Neurol Sci. 2012 Dec;33(6):1397-9. doi: 10.1007/s10072-012-1096-8. Epub 2012 Apr 24.

Abstract

Non-ketotic hyperglycemia may be a cause of hemiballism-hemichorea. We present an elderly female type II diabetic patient with right-sided hemiballism-hemichorea of acute onset during hypoglycemia following insulin overtreatment of non-ketotic hyperglycemia. Brain computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed characteristic hyperdensity and T1 hyperintensity, respectively, in the left basal ganglia, in addition to pallido-dentate calcifications, suggestive of Fahr's syndrome. Although extremely rare, hypoglycemia may be a cause of hemiballism-hemichorea especially in the presence of predisposing factors such as previous hyperglycemic episodes and Fahr's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / complications
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Chorea / diagnosis*
  • Chorea / etiology
  • Dyskinesias / diagnosis*
  • Dyskinesias / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / complications
  • Hypoglycemia / diagnosis*
  • Syndrome