Ballismus
Definition: Ballismus refers to a rare and severe movement disorder characterized by involuntary, violent, and flinging movements of the limbs. It is considered a subtype of chorea, a group of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Clinical Features
Ballismus is typically characterized by:
- Uncontrollable Movements: Individuals with ballismus experience sudden, forceful, and jerky movements in the extremities. These movements can be violent and have a flinging quality.
- Asymmetric Involvement: The movements are usually asymmetrical, affecting one side of the body more than the other.
- Involuntary: Ballistic movements occur involuntarily and can occur at rest or during purposeful actions.
Causes
Ballismus can arise due to various underlying causes, including:
- Stroke: It is commonly associated with damage to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or other structures within the basal ganglia caused by a stroke.
- Hyperglycemia: Transient ballismus can occur with high blood sugar levels, particularly in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes.
- Brain Lesions: Structural abnormalities or lesions in the brain, such as tumors or infections, can lead to ballismus.
- Genetic Factors: In rare cases, ballismus can be genetically inherited.
Treatment
Management and treatment options for ballismus may include:
- Medication: Dopamine-reducing drugs, such as neuroleptics and tetrabenazine, are often prescribed to control symptoms.
- Surgical Intervention: In severe and refractory cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery may be considered to alleviate symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation and physical therapy can help improve motor control and reduce functional limitations.
It is important to note that the treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying cause of ballismus and the individual’s specific case.