title: Pharmacologic management of movement disorder after midbrain haemorrhage.
abstract: Movement disorders following midbrain haemorrhage are infrequently encountered in rehabilitation, and are uncommonly corrected by pharmacologic means. This report describes a 20 year-old male with a prior history of cocaine abuse who presented with a 4 day history of dysarthria and blurred vision following methamphetamine abuse. Physical examination demonstrated hypertension, left facial hemispasm, bilateral upward gaze paresis and ataxic gait. Magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography (MRI/MRA) showed multifocal parenchymal haematomas in the mesencephalic tegmentum, subcortical left front region and right anterior thalamus consistent with cavernous angiomas. The patient was transferred to rehabilitation on hospital day 5. The following day, he developed choreoathetoid movements, dystonia, and aphasia, secondary to an extension of the midbrain haemorrhage. Cogentin was initiated with slight improvement in choreoathetoid movements. The patient began intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation therapy but after 18 days of therapy, the patient remained totally dependent in activities of daily living (ADLs), transfers, mobility and was unable to communicate in any manner. A trial of Sinemet was initiated, with resultant steady improvement in functional ability over the next month. By discharge, the patient was independent in ADLs and ambulation. By 9 months post discharge follow-up, the patient was fully independent with normal cognition, and had self tapered all medications without ill effect. Dopamine agonist trials of appropriate duration appear indicated in cases of movement disorder (paucity or excess) following midbrain lesions.
authors.affiliation: Division of PM&R, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Speed
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D008694:Methamphetamine; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa