title: Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings of Sydenham's Chorea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sydenham's chorea (SC) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. MRI is generally used to exclude other causes of chorea. There are no typically defined MRI features of SC. In this study we aimed to determine clinical and neuroimaging findings of SC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study 17 patients with acute SC were retrospectively evaluated. Sydenham's chorea was diagnosed according to the 1992 revision of the Jones criteria. The other causes of chorea were excluded. Cranial MRI was performed in all patients during the acute phase of SC. Walking, speech and swallowing disorders, muscle weakness, behavioral disorders, treatment, symptom recovery time and recurrence were evaluated. Findings : The patients' mean age was 11.2 years. Behavioral changes, muscle weakness and dysphagia occurred in 70%, 64% and 23% of the patients, respectively. Nonspecific signal hyperintensities were observed in the white matter, brain stem and caudate nucleus in 47% of patients. Two patients who had chorea paralytica were treated successfully with a high dose of intravenous methylprednisolone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonspecific hyperintense white matter abnormalities may be due to the inflammatory process associated with a longer duration of clinical signs. To explain the MRI findings and the pathogenesis of SC, comprehensive studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology.
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekici
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology.
authors.forename: Ayten
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yakut
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology.
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yimenicioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology.
authors.forename: Kursat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bora Carman
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saylısoy
keywords: Sydenham’s Chorea; MRI Findings; Chorea Paralytica; Corticosteroids