Atypical Imaging Findings of Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Hemichorea: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea (NH-HC) is a rare condition presenting in the clinical setting. Brain imaging plays an important role in diagnosing NH-HC, which typically shows basal ganglia changes contralateral to the side of the hemiballismus/hemichorea. Only a few articles in the literature have reported normal pertinent magnetic resonance/CT findings in patients presenting with NH-HC. To the authors' knowledge, no cases in the literature have reported basal ganglia changes solely observed on CT but not on MRI in patients presenting with NH-HC. Herein, we describe a unique case in which a CT of a patient presenting with NH-HC demonstrated basal ganglia abnormalities with negative MRI findings.

Further learning of clinical characteristics and imaging manifestations of nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea

“…She was presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of involuntary movements of her right arm and leg for 2 days duration. The CT presenting with NH‐HC demonstrated basal ganglia abnormalities with negative MRI findings 14 . Therefore, it is more difficult to identify clinically suspected patients with chorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia, and it is easier to be misdiagnosed.…”

“…The CT presenting with NH‐HC demonstrated basal ganglia abnormalities with negative MRI findings. 14 Therefore, it is more difficult to identify clinically suspected patients with chorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia, and it is easier to be misdiagnosed. Moreover, long‐term imaging follow‐up may provide further help for the understanding of this disease.…”