Acute chorea and bilateral basal ganglia lesions in a hemodialysis patient

Clinical and imaging associations for non-ketotic hyperglycemic chorea: a case-control study

Background

The non-ketotic hyperglycemic chorea (NKHC) was a rare complication for patients with diabetes mellitus, but not been well studied. In the present research, we aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of NKHC and explore the potential association.

Methods

We performed a case-control study with patients diagnosed as NKHC. The patients with group of NKHC were retrospectively recruited, while the matched group were set to screened patients with diabetes mellitus but no NKHC at a 1:3 ratio. The clinical and imaging data were collected for all the participants of the two groups. Firstly, Correlation analysis was conducted to test the difference of all the variables between the NKHC group and matched group. Then, the putative associated factors for NKHC were further identified.

Results

Eleven men and 9 women with NKHC and 60 matched participants were analyzed. The mean age of the NKHC group was 68.5 ± 14.9 years. Participants with NKHC were more likely to have a higher glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (13 ± 2.82 vs. 10.57 ± 2.71, P<0.001), and a higher frequency of renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rates <60 ml/min/1.73m2) (55% vs. 20%, P=0.005). Logistic regression analyses showed that both higher HbA1c and renal dysfunction were significantly correlated with NKHC.

Conclusion

A higher value of HbA1c and renal dysfunction may be associated with the occurrence of NKHC.

The role of neuroimmune and inflammation in pediatric uremia-induced neuropathy

Uremic neuropathy in children encompasses a wide range of central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), and psychological abnormalities, which is associated with progressive renal dysfunction. Clinically, the diagnosis of uremic neuropathy in children is often made retrospectively when symptoms improve after dialysis or transplantation, due to there is no defining signs or laboratory and imaging findings. These neurological disorders consequently result in increased morbidity and mortality among children population, making uremia an urgent public health problem worldwide. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, potential mechanisms, possible treatments, and the shortcomings of current research of uremic neuropathy in children. Mechanistically, the uremic neuropathy may be caused by retention of uremic solutes, increased oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, and disturbance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Neuroimmune, including the change of inflammatory factors and immune cells, may also play a crucial role in the progression of uremic neuropathy. Different from the invasive treatment of dialysis and kidney transplantation, intervention in neuroimmune and targeted anti-inflammatory therapy may provide a new insight for the treatment of uremia.

The extrapyramidal syndromes of chronic kidney disease and dialysis (EPS-CKDD): diagnostic criteria, risk factors and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Acute extrapyramidal movement disorders in dialysis patients are rare, inconsistently defined and have uncertain aetiology and prognosis.

AIM

Define diagnostic criteria, prognosis and risk factors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective case series review of 20 patients (14 female, mean age 62 years) receiving dialysis for a median of 15 (interquartile range 4-35) months who presented with acute parkinsonism (AP = 11) or chorea/athetosis (CA = 9).

RESULTS

All patients had type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.8 ± 1.0) and had received metformin. Lactic acidosis was present in 2 patients at presentation and serum lactate was elevated in 7/15 patients tested. No patient had abnormal copper or thyroid metabolism and 5/8 patients tested returned marginal abnormalities in heavy metal screening. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed characteristic bilateral symmetric T2 hyperintensity of the basal ganglia (BG), predominantly putamen and globus pallidus (the lentiform nucleus) and more extensive involvement of the external and internal capsules in patients with AP presentation. Post-mortem demonstrated cytotoxic necrosis of the BG. Therapy included thiamine, intensive dialysis and cessation of metformin. Two patients died acutely, nine recovered and nine had residual symptoms. Median survival did not differ by presentation: AP 24 [95% confidence interval (CI) 21-27] and CA 33 (95% CI 32-35) months, P = 0.21.

CONCLUSIONS

There are two distinct clinical extrapyramidal movement disorders associated with specific diagnostic MRI imaging that support the diagnosis of the extrapyramidal syndromes of chronic kidney disease and dialysis. The associations with diabetes, metformin and metabolic acidosis suggest a common pathogenic mechanism but require additional study. Early recognition and treatment may improve outcomes.

Movement Disorders Due to Selective Basal Ganglia Lesions with Uremia

BACKGROUND

Basal ganglia (BG) lesions are rarely reported in patients with uremia and may manifest by movement disorders. However, their exact incidence and pathogenesis have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to determine the frequency, types, risk variables (clinical, laboratory, and imaging), and manifestations of BG lesions with uremia and patients' neurologic outcomes.

METHODS

This observational study included 70 adults (mean age: 45.87 ± 3.36 years; duration of uremia: 5.5 ± 1.5 years). They underwent extensive evaluations (clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging) and had prospectively evaluated clinically every 3 months for 2 years. Repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brains were done to patients with movement disorders and correlated with their neurologic outcomes.

RESULTS

BG lesions were found in 15 patients (21.4%) and 6 (8.6%) had movement disorders [Parkinsonism (n = 4), choreo-dystonia (n = 1) and dystonia (n = 1)] after the onset of uremia (mean = 10 months). There were no characteristic risk variables that distinguished patients with movement disorders from those without. Five developed movement disorders prior to the period of the study and one was de novo. The majority was females and had diabetes and higher frequencies of abnormal renal dysfunction, metabolic derangements, and white matter hyperintensities in MRIs. Movement disorders persisted in all patients despite the resolution of neuroimaging in three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear threshold for renal failure to result in movement disorders due to BG lesions. The clinical outcome is variables depending on each patient's comorbidities and complications. Persistent neuronal damage (due to uremic toxins/metabolic/nutritional and ischemic/microvascular factors) has been suggested as the cause of poor neurologic outcomes.

Investigation of the relationship between non-ketotic hyperglycemia and hemichorea-hemiballism: A case report

RATIONALE

Hemichorea-hemiballism, a rare manifestation of non-ketotic hyperglycemia, characterized by involuntary arrhythmic motions involving one side of the body, results from focal lesions in the contralateral caudate nucleus and putamen. Hyperkinetic disorders can be complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and should not be ignored.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of left-sided hemichorea-hemiballism. She had type 2 diabetes mellitus with poor control and maintenance of regular hemodialysis.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed as hyperglycemia, normal ketone body and hemichorea-hemiballism based on laboratory examination, computed tomography (CT) scan, and brain magnetic resonance image (MRI).

INTERVENTIONS

Intensive glycemic control via insulin injection was prescribed for correction of hyperglycemia.

OUTCOMES

The unilateral involuntary movements subsided progressively over four weeks. The patient's hemichorea had completely resolved at the three-month follow-up.

LESSONS

This unusual clinical presentation is often accompanied by severe hyperglycemia. Appropriate blood glycemic control is important. If physicians recognize and provide early treatment for this disease, it is usually treatable and has a good prognosis.

Unstable blood sugar levels as triggers for the syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions in diabetic uremia: Two Taiwanese patients with unusual neuroimaging findings

The syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions in diabetic uremia is uncommon and usually affects Asian patients. The underlying pathogenesis of this syndrome is not clear. We searched PUBMED using the keywords “bilateral basal ganglia”, “diabetic”, and “uremia”, and found a total of 34 cases from 1998 to 2016. In most cases, blood sugar levels were normal. Here we report two Taiwanese cases presenting with dyskinesias. In one case the syndrome was triggered by hyperglycemia, and in the other by severe hypoglycemia. Their neuroimaging findings were unusual as compared with previously reported cases, presenting as mixed hypo- and hyperintensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We think these new finding would shed some light on the underlying pathophysiology of this syndrome. For treatment, it is advisable to keep glucose levels as stable as possible in diabetic uremic patients to prevent this syndrome. A rapid correction of hyper- or hypoglycemia after the onset may help recovery.

•

Syndrome of acute bilateral basal ganglia lesions in diabetic uremia presenting with dyskinesias.

•

Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can trigger this syndrome.

•

Mixed hypo- and hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI.

Chorea due to diabetic hyperglycemia and uremia: distinct clinical and imaging features

This study was undertaken to describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with chorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia (C-NKH) in comparison with patients with chorea associated with uremia (C-URE). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive 10 C-NKH and five C-URE patients who were treated between January 1, 2001 and January 31, 2013. Women were more frequently affected by C-NKH (70% vs. 30%) and C-URE (80% vs. 20%) compared with men. The C-NKH patients demonstrated T1-hyperintense and inhomogeneous lesions in the basal ganglia, whereas C-URE patients demonstrated T2-hyperintense and homogeneous lesions in the basal ganglia. The mean time for chorea resolution after treatment was significantly shorter in C-NKH patients than in C-URE patients (4.4 ± 2.6 d vs. 73.8 ± 14.2 d, respectively; P = 0.005). The clinical and imaging features are remarkably different between C-NKH and C-URE patients, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms.

Rare case of reversible acute symmetrical lesions of the bilateral Basal Ganglia associated with diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure

Reversible acute symmetrical basal ganglial lesion on magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography in cases of diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure exhibiting acute onset of movement abnormalities like chorea is a very rare entity. It has characteristic clinical and imaging features. Only 29 cases are described in the literature, including the current one. These cases are predominantly Asian patients from the Far East and only one Asian Indian patient has been described. We report the second Asian Indian case of this condition and describe its various clinical and imaging features. Our aim is to educate the clinicians and radiologists about this condition, so that more such cases can be detected.

Diabetic uremic syndrome studied with cerebral MR spectroscopy and CT perfusion

Diabetic uremic syndrome (DUS) is an increasingly reported acute neurometabolic cerebral disease with characteristic clinical and imaging features. Clinical spectrum includes a wide range of movement disorders such as acute parkinsonism. Imaging studies show reversible (with hemodialysis) bilateral lesions in the lenticular nuclei. DUS pathophysiology has not been entirely clarified yet. Our case study shows certainly that LN lesions are characterized with increased lactate peak with MR spectroscopy and decreased perfusion in computerized tomography perfusion along with increased diffusion with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping in the subacute phase of the syndrome. Abnormalities were almost normalized quickly after metabolic control by hemodialysis. Together with reports indicating that a deficit of glucose use exacerbated with acute increase of uremic toxins in bilateral LN, observed changes (lactate peak and hypoperfusion) led us to state that a primary metabolic depression may cause this syndrome. Metabolic depression is probably due to uncompensated uremic toxin accumulation related mitochondrial supression and/or dysfunction. This definition fits well to the other elements of DUS such as ADC evolution and marked lesion regression. Our single case study is not supportive of other previously credited mechanisms such as microvascular dysfunction related focal ischemia or hypoperfusion, prolonged uremic toxin related histotoxic hypoxia, central pontine myelinolysis-like demyelination and posterior leukoencephalopathy spectrum disorder related vasogenic edema.

A syndrome of bilateral symmetrical basal ganglia lesions in diabetic dialysis patients

A rare syndrome of acute symmetrical bilateral basal ganglia lesions in diabetic dialysis patients that manifests clinically with headache, dysarthria, and gait and movement disorder has been described almost exclusively in patients of Asian descent. The pathophysiology of this condition has not been established. Of the 28 cases reported, 3 patients have been from North America. In the context of magnetic resonance imaging showing dramatic resolution of lesions of the basal ganglia, this report describes a fourth case from North America of a 47-year-old Hispanic woman with diabetes on dialysis therapy who presented with headache, unsteady gait, and slurred speech. We also consider presymptomatic metabolic abnormalities in the pathogenesis of this disease.

[A case of subacute parkinsonism presenting as bilateral basal ganglia legions by MRI in diabetic uremic syndrome]

A 60-year-old male was admitted because he had developed tremulous movement in both upper and lower limbs and gait disturbance over the course of 3 months. He had been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis almost 1 year earlier due to end-stage diabetic nephropathy. A neurological examination revealed a mild disturbance of his consciousness, asterixis in the upper limbs, bilateral extensor plantar responses and parkinsonism, which were characterized by bradykinesia, akinesia, rigidity, and bilaterally tremors at rest. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed swollen bilateral basal ganglia legions, which appeared hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The patient was treated for metabolic acidosis and continued hemodialysis three times a week; however, the parkinsonism remained 1 year later. Follow-up MRI revealed decreased swelling of the basal ganglia, and the pattern of diffusion-weighted images and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map indicated vasogenic and cytotoxic edema in bilateral globus pallidus. The case was diagnosed as encephalopathy due to diabetic uremic syndrome, initially characterized by Wang et al. (2003). Only 17 cases with parkinsonism have been reported. Diabetic uremic syndrome is characterized by acute or subacute onset consciousness disturbance and movement disorders such as parkinsonism, chorea and the other extrapyramidal signs to various degrees related to bilateral lesions of the basal ganglia.

Acute movement disorder with bilateral basal ganglia lesions in diabetic uremia

Acute movement disorder associated with symmetrical basal ganglia lesions occurring in the background of diabetic end stage renal disease is a recently described condition. It has distinct clinico-radiological features and is commonly described in Asian patients. We report the first Indian case report of this potentially reversible condition and discuss its various clinico-radiological aspects.