Hemiballism
Understanding Hemiballism
Chorea is an involuntary (not controlled by the individual) movement disorder. In chorea, parts of the nervous system do not work properly and may be caused by bleeding in the brain, head trauma, cancer, nervous system infection and other conditions. Hemiballism is the most severe form of chorea.
Symptoms of Hemiballism
Hemiballism is characterized by brief, sudden, spontaneous, violent movements involving the arm or leg on one side of the body.
Diagnosing Hemiballism
Given the wide variety of disorders that can cause hemiballism, a thorough medical history and physical evaluation can narrow the diagnosis. Blood, laboratory, or imaging tests may be performed to identify the cause of hemiballism.
Treating Hemiballism
Treating the underlying cause of hemiballism can resolve symptoms with time. Medications (taken orally) used to treat hemiballism include risperidone (Risperdal®), haloperidol (Haldol®), perphenazine (Trilafon®), pimozide (Orap®), chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), clonazepam (Klonopin®), topiramate (Topamax®), and tetrabenazine (Xenazine®). If medication does not work and the symptoms are severe enough to impair activities of daily living, surgery becomes an option.
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The information provided on this website is not medical advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with questions concerning a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it based on information provided on this website.
