Hemiballismus
Hemiballismus
Hemiballismus (pronounced: heh-mee-buh-liz-mus) is a rare and extreme form of chorea characterized by violent and involuntary flinging movements of the limbs on one side of the body. The term is derived from the Greek words 'hemi' meaning 'half', and 'ballismus' meaning 'to throw'.
Etymology
The term 'Hemiballismus' is derived from two Greek words: 'hemi' which means 'half', and 'ballismus' which means 'to throw'. This term was first used in medical literature in the early 20th century to describe the violent, involuntary, and flinging movements of the limbs on one side of the body.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Hemiballismus is the involuntary and often violent flinging movements of the limbs on one side of the body. These movements can be continuous or intermittent and can vary in severity from mild to severe. Other symptoms may include difficulty in controlling the movements, muscle weakness, and in some cases, cognitive impairment.
Causes
Hemiballismus is most commonly caused by a lesion in the subthalamic nucleus of the brain, often due to a stroke. Other causes can include trauma, infection, tumor, or certain metabolic disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for Hemiballismus primarily involves managing the symptoms and treating the underlying cause. Medications such as dopamine antagonists and anticonvulsants may be used to control the involuntary movements. In severe cases, surgical intervention such as deep brain stimulation may be considered.
Related Terms
- Chorea: A neurological disorder characterized by jerky, involuntary movements affecting especially the shoulders, hips, and face.
- Subthalamic nucleus: A small lens-shaped nucleus in the brain where it is, in part, responsible for regulating movements.
- Stroke: A medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death.
- Deep brain stimulation: A neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device called a neurostimulator, which sends electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hemiballismus
- Wikipedia's article - Hemiballismus
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