Hemiballismus due to an ipsilateral striatal haemorrhage: an unusual localization

Abstract

Hemiballismus has been correlated clinico-anatomically with lesions of the contralateral side, most commonly of the subthalamic nucleus. Hemiballismus due to an ipsilateral lesion is extremely rare. We report the case of a 55 year old female who developed a right sided hemiballismus due to a right striatal haemorrhage, which simultaneously caused a left hemiplegia. The hemiballismus subsided on treatment with dopamine-blockers over the next two weeks.