Cervical demyelinating lesion presenting with choreoathetoid movements and dystonia

Abstract

Pseudoathetosis and dystonia are rare manifestations of spinal cord disease that have been already reported in lesions involving the posterior columns at the cervical level. We report two patients with a cervical demyelinating lesion at C3-C4 level presenting with hand dystonia and pseudoathetoid movements. The movement disorder disappeared after steroid treatment. The cases we described highlight the importance of identifying secondary causes of movement disorders that can be reversible with appropriate therapy.

Keywords: Demyelinating lesion; Dystonia; Pseudoathetosis; Spinal cord.