Non-ketotic Hyperglycemia Chorea-Ballismus and Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Non-ketotic hyperglycemia chorea-ballismus (NKH-CB) is a rare metabolical syndrome secondary to the hyperglycemic condition, which is characterized by a triad of acute or subacute hemichorea-hemiballismus, hyperglycemic state, and unique abnormalities limited to the striatum on neuroimaging. Several related case studies on this disorder have been reported previously, but NKH-CB had never been associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Herein, we report an uncommon case of NKH-CB and ICH that occurred simultaneously in one patient, which provides a challenge for clinicians in making a correct diagnosis. An 88-year-old woman with a long-term history of poor-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, who presented with a sudden-onset headache, restlessness, severe bilateral choreiform and ballistic movements, elevated levels of glucose and osmolality in the serum, an increased white blood cell count, and two-type hyperdense signs on CT imaging, was finally diagnosed with NKH-CB and ICH. Despite administrated active treatments, the patient's clinical status did not improve and ultimately passed away. This case is reported to remind clinicians to consider the possibility of NKH-CB when patients present sudden-onset choreiform and ballistic movements. It is also the first entity with two-type hyperdense signs on CT imaging simultaneously, which helps us distinguish NKH-CB from ICH more intuitively.