Faciobrachial Myoclonus as the Presenting Manifestation of Diabetic Keto-Acidosis

• Published in: Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 11; p. 9
• Main Authors: Chatterjee, Subhankar, Ghosh, Ritwik, Kumari, Rinky, Ojha, Umesh Kumar, Benito-León, Julián, Dubey, Souvik
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 02.03.2021
• ISSN: 2160-8288
• DOI: 10.5334/tohm.605

BackgroundChorea and ballism are well-recognized acute potentially reversible movement disorders as the presenting manifestation of non-ketotic hyperglycemic states among older type-2 diabetics. Myoclonus as the form of presentation of diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) in previously undiagnosed type-1 diabetic has never been reported before. Case reportWe herein report the case of a 36-year-old previously healthy patient who presented with acute onset incessant faciobrachial myoclonus for 10 days. The patient was found to be suffering from DKA and eventually diagnosed as type-1 diabetes mellitus. Myoclonus disappeared with achieving euglycemia and did not recur. DiscussionApart from expanding the spectrum of acute movement disorder among diabetics, this case reiterates the importance of rapid bedside measurement of capillary blood glucose in all patients presenting with acute onset abnormal movements irrespective of their past glycemic status. This simple yet life-saving approach can clinch the diagnosis at the earliest and thus will avoid costly investigations and mismanagement.