Persistent hemichoreoathetosis-hemidystonia after nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemia

Most commonly, hemichorea associated with nonketotic and ketotic hyperglycemia resolves with normalization of blood glucose. Herein, we present a case of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic left hemichoreoathetosis-hemidystonia that has persisted for over 1 year. The subject presented to the emergency room with dysarthria and manifested left hemichoreoathetosis-hemidystonia within 36 h of admission. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed hyperdensity in the right putamen and left caudate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed T1 hyperintensity within the right putamen. Failure to detect these classic imaging abnormalities during hospitalization resulted in a delayed etiologic diagnosis. Modest symptomatic improvement in the severity of hemichoreoathetosis-hemidystonia has been noted with low dose tetrabenazine.