A case of hemiballism as a rare side effect of ciprofloxacin in a patient with liver cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND
Ciprofloxacin is commonly used and considered to be relatively safe in patients with cirrhosis, especially in the treatment of enteric and urinary tract infections. Among the adverse effects of ciprofloxacin, neurologic complications are rare.


RESULTS
We report a case of hemiballism and altered mental status after prolonged administration of ciprofloxacin for a renal abscess in a 59-year-old patient with cirrhosis. Hemiballism accompanied by mental changes imposed a diagnostic challenge in the differentiation between hepatic encephalopathy and stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful dosing and a high index of suspicion of the neurological adverse effects of ciprofloxacin including movement disorders are warranted especially in cirrhotic patients.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea.
Su Hyun
SH
Kim
Sook-Hyang
SH
Jeong
Jin-Wook
JW
Kim
Sang Hyub
SH
Lee
Jong-Min
JM
Kim
D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged
D002939:Ciprofloxacin