[Chorea revealing a polycytemia vera].
Neurological manifestations in polycytemia vera are common. However, chorea is an exceptionally revealing feature of this disease. We report a 78-year-old man who presented with headache and an abnormal movement disorder corresponding to chorea. Laboratory findings showed increased levels of hemoglobin at 20 g/dl and hematocrit at 62.3%. An elevated erythrocyte mass to twice the normal value demonstrated the absolute erythrocytosis. A JAK2 V617F gene mutation was identified. A diagnosis of polycytemia vera-associated chorea was obtained. Clinical and biological outcomes were favorable after therapeutic phlebotomy and treatment with hydroxyurea. We recommend a complete blood cell count in elderly patient presenting with chorea to eliminate a diagnosis of polycytemia vera.
Ben Ghorbel
I
I
Service de médecine interne, hôpital La Rabta, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia. benghorbelimed@yahoo.com
Ben Salem
T
T
Lamloum
M
M
Khanfir
M
M
Braham
A
A
Miled
M
M
Ben Romdhane
N
N
Houman
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D002819:Chorea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*