Hemichorea-hemiballismus and toxoplasmosis in AIDS

The authors report two cases of hemichorea-hemiballism revealing a toxoplasmic abscess in the subthalamic nucleus during AIDS. Despite the great frequency of this opportunistic infection such cases are exceptional. This rarity seems to be explained by the frequent association of other lesions of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRevue neurologique Vol. 148; no. 12; p. 785
Main Authors Gastaut, J L, Nicoli, F, Somma-Mauvais, H, Bartolomei, F, Dalecky, A, Bruzzo, M, Dhiver, C, Gastaut, J A
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published France 1992
Subjects
Adult
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - complications
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Chorea - etiology
Female
Humans
Male
Movement Disorders - etiology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Toxoplasmosis - complications
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Summary:The authors report two cases of hemichorea-hemiballism revealing a toxoplasmic abscess in the subthalamic nucleus during AIDS. Despite the great frequency of this opportunistic infection such cases are exceptional. This rarity seems to be explained by the frequent association of other lesions of the basal ganglia which may prevent the movement disorders. Nevertheless an hemichorea-hemiballism in young people must suggest a cerebral toxoplasmosis. Finally a symptomatic treatment is often necessary; in these cases the use of sodium valproate must be considered, this drug being able to induce a clinical improvement.
ISSN:0035-3787