Cracking the Crack Dance: A Case Report on Cocaine-induced Choreoathetosis

Movement disorders represent one of the less common presentations of cocaine toxicity observed in clinical practice. Given the magnitude of crack cocaine use, it is vital to understand the underlying pathogenesis. We present a case of a patient who clinically exhibited cocaine-induced choreoathetosis. The diagnosis was confirmed after ruling out all other organic causes of de novo choreoathetoid movement. This case highlights the association of cocaine with choreoathetoid movements. We propose a preliminary understanding of the underlying pathogenesis, which may help intensivists better recognize this uncommon phenomenon.