Delayed onset diabetic striatopathy: Hemichorea-hemiballism one month after a hyperglycemic episode

Abstract

Diabetic striatopathy is an uncommon and life threatening manifestation of diabetes mellitus. It has a tendency to occur in the elderly, female and people of Asian descent. Patients usually present with hemichorea-hemiballism caused by non-ketotic hyperglycemia. However, patients could develop diabetic striatopathy weeks after the hyperglycemic event, even when blood sugar has been well controlled. Herein, we report a case of delayed onset diabetic striatopathy and discuss the importance of detailed history and brain magnetic resonance imaging for making prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: Delayed onset; Diabetic striatopathy; Hemiballism.