Transient Generalized Chorea in Influenza A Encephalopathy

Jannik Prasuhn; Georg Royl; Klaus P Wandinger; Norbert Brüggemann; Alexander Neumann; Thomas F Münte

doi:10.7916/D8F495TP

Transient Generalized Chorea in Influenza A Encephalopathy

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2018 Oct 9:8:591. doi: 10.7916/D8F495TP. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Jannik Prasuhn^{1

2}, Georg Royl¹, Klaus P Wandinger^{1

3}, Norbert Brüggemann^{1

2}, Alexander Neumann⁴, Thomas F Münte¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, DE.
² Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, DE.
³ Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, DE.
⁴ Institute of Neuroradiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, DE.

Abstract

Background: Influenza A infections are a rare cause of movement disorders. Previously described patients have suffered from acute-onset myoclonus and/or dystonia or post-viral parkinsonism.

Case report: We present the case of a 74-year-old female patient with transient generalized chorea due to influenza A-mediated encephalopathy.

Discussion: We discuss whether the clinical presentation and the magnetic resonance imaging changes may be attributable to cytokine-mediated encephalopathy or to direct cytotoxic effects of the virus. Additionally, we would like to make clinicians aware of this clinical sign in the context of viral encephalopathy.

Keywords: Influenza; chorea; diffusion-weighted imaging lesion; encephalopathy.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Brain Diseases* / complications
Brain Diseases* / etiology
Brain Diseases* / virology
Chorea / etiology*
Chorea / virology
Female
Humans
Influenza A virus / pathogenicity*
Influenza, Human / complications*