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Case
A nine-year-old male with intellectual disability and epilepsy presented with a progressive movement disorder characterised by chorea and dystonia primarily affecting the left face, arm, and leg. Neuroimaging revealed a diffuse Spetzler-Martin Grade IV arteriovenous malformation centered within the right thalamus with bilateral extension into the basal ganglia, midbrain and pons. An associated network of developmental venous anomalies was noted to coalesce into ectatic deep drainage, causing obstructive hydrocephalus (Figure 1). Surgical management was not indicated given the anatomy and location of the lesion.
Figure 1.A) Axial B) coronal and C) sagittal T1 MRI with gadolinium demonstrating extensive, bilateral arteriovenous malformation within basal ganglia, thalami and midbrain, and obstructive hydrocephalus.
The patient presented with a stepwise clinical decline over several months, with worsening chorea and dystonia resulting in loss of function of the left arm, severe left arm pain, and loss of the ability to ambulate independently (Video 1). The involuntary movements and arm pain improved following treatment with clonazepam, baclofen, tetrabenazine, and hydrocodone/acetaminophen as well as chemodenervation with intramuscular botulinum toxin. The patient developed somnolence in the setting of worsening hydrocephalus. Following the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, he experienced a dramatic improvement in his level of awareness, without further improvement in his involuntary movements.
Discussion
The pathogenesis of secondary movement disorders is varied; etiologies include hypoxia, stroke, and kernicterus [1]. Movement disorders resulting from congenital vascular malformations are relatively uncommon and can be difficult to treat. Apart from producing structural abnormalities, which can physically disrupt normal basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits, vascular malformations can further complicate regional dysfunction by vascular steal phenomena [2]. In this case, surgical and medical management has been helpful. Intrathecal baclofen therapy may be an option in the future should symptoms become refractory to medical interventions.
Appropriate consent was obtained from the family for video use within this publication.
Supplementary data
Video 1: Patient video demonstrating left hemidystonia, chorea of the left arm, and gait impairment. http://icnapedia.org/s/148
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References
- Netravathi M, Pal PK, Indira Devi B. A clinical profile of 103 patients with secondary movement disorders: correlation of etiology with phenomenology.. Eur J Neurol. 2012; 19:226-33. PubMed
- Park J. Movement disorders following cerebrovascular lesion in the basal ganglia circuit.. J Mov Disord.. 2016; 9:71-9. PubMed
Main Article Content
Abstract
A 9-year-old male with intellectual disability and epilepsy presenting with a progressive movement disorder characterized by chorea and dystonia primarily affecting the left face, arm, and leg and attributed to an arteriovenous malformation centered within the right thalamus with bilateral extension into the basal ganglia, midbrain and pons is reported.
Article Details
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References
- Netravathi M, Pal PK, Indira Devi B. A clinical profile of 103 patients with secondary movement disorders: correlation of etiology with phenomenology. Eur J Neurol 2012;19:226–233.
- Park J. Movement disorders following cerebrovascular lesion in the basal ganglia circuit. J Mov Disord. 2016;9:71–79
References
Netravathi M, Pal PK, Indira Devi B. A clinical profile of 103 patients with secondary movement disorders: correlation of etiology with phenomenology. Eur J Neurol 2012;19:226–233.
Park J. Movement disorders following cerebrovascular lesion in the basal ganglia circuit. J Mov Disord. 2016;9:71–79