Emergencies in movement disorders

Abstract

Movement disorders constitute a large group of diseases that affect the control of voluntary motor activity without a direct impact on sensation and strength. Usual clinical course is slow, progressive and can be treated in an outpatient clinic. However, there are several emergencies regarding movement disorders that are serious medical conditions and may result in death if not recognized and treated promptly. Every neurologist should be aware of these states because they can develop during the course of a patient's illness. The aim of this review is to provide key features of the most common emergencies in movement disorders, including drug-induced emergencies, emergencies in Parkinson's disease, chorea and ballismus, tics, myoclonus and dystonia.