title: Paroxysmal kinesigenic dystonic choreoathetosis associated with a thalamic infarct.
abstract: We describe a patient with the development of paroxysmal kinesigenic dystonic choreoathetosis (PKDC) after a thalamic infarct. PKDC consists of brief episodes of dystonia or choreoathetosis triggered by movement. PKDC improves with anticonvulsants, and in some cases, with L-Dopa or anticholinergics. We review PKDC, and relate its salient features to idiopathic and secondary torsion dystonia. We postulate a similar underlying pathophysiology.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Institute, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camac
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khandji
mesh_terms: D001264:Athetosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002819:Chorea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D010672:Phenytoin