A 78-year-old woman without past relevant medical history presented to the emergency department for acute transient dysarthria. NIHSS was 0/42. Neurological examination revealed chorea-like movements over the left limbs, especially the foot. No other neurological signs were present. CT perfusion showed right cortical hypoperfusion due to right M2 occlusion, basal-ganglia perfusion was normal. Brain MRI revealed a small focus of restricted diffusion in the right insula, sparing basal ganglia. Based on the neuroimaging features and clinical correlation, despite the NIHSS score, we decided to treat the patient with alteplase, after iv-thrombolysis hyperkinetic movements ceased completely. Brain-MRI performed 72 h after symptom onset confirmed a confined insular ischemic lesion without the involvement of deep gray matter structures. Hyperkinetic movement disorders, such as hemichorea hemiballismus, are rare presentations of stroke, basal ganglia are mainly involved even if the insular cortex has been described too. Clinical decision on whether to treat ischemic stroke does not include movement disorders. Our case underscores NIHSS limitations in clinical practice.
Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke; Hemichorea; Movement disorders; NIHSS limitations; Stroke.
© 2023. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.