Choreoathetosis related to lithium intoxication.
A 76-year old woman was admitted because of severe gait ataxia and dysarthric speech that had worsened over the last 24 h. The patient was initially suspected of having repeated transitory ischemic attacks (TIAs) as her daughter reported a similar episode that had happened 3 weeks prior to admission. The onset of spontaneous twisting, choreoathetotic movements of both hands and arms and worsening of symptoms one hour after admission together with a history of lithium therapy lead to the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Stemper
B
B
Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. brigitte.stemper@neuro.med.uni-erlangen.de
Thürauf
N
N
Neundörfer
B
B
Heckmann
J G
JG
D000368:Aged; D001264:Athetosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002819:Chorea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D008094:Lithium