An Unusual Movement Disorder—Case of Diabetic Striatopathy

Nonketotic hyperglycemia chorea-ballismus (NKH-CB), a rare metabolic syndrome, arises as a secondary condition to hyperglycemia. It is marked by acute or subacute hemichorea-hemiballismus, hyperglycemic state, and unique reversible striatal abnormalities on neuroimaging. This case presents a 70-year-old Hispanic man with a significant medical history of cerebral vascular accidents, hypertension, bipolar disease, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Notably, the patient was experiencing large-amplitude involuntary movements on his left side for the past 3 weeks. With resolution of hyperglycemia, the amplitude and frequency of the involuntary arm movements were absent. This case highlights the need for careful monitoring and tight control of blood glucose levels in patients with a history of diabetes, to prevent serious neurological complications such as NKH-CB syndrome. Prompt diagnosis through neurological evaluation, blood glucose level assessment, and neuroimaging techniques are critical in managing the symptoms effectively.