Chorea - Is Diabetes Mellitus the Cause?

Abstract

Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is an uncommon complication of diabetes characterized by hemiballismus-hemichorea, often accompanied by reversible striatal hyperintensity on neuroimaging. Diabetes is the most common metabolic cause of hemiballismus and hemichorea. However, it is underreported as clinicians do not always consider it in the diagnosis of new movement abnormalities. The prognosis is generally excellent, and management involves glycemic control and anti-chorea medications. We present a case of a patient with bilateral chorea and ballismus and classic MRI findings of DS, though his history of diabetes and substance use confounds the clinical picture of DS.