Acute Hemiballismus as the Initial Manifestation of Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular disease often presents with “negative” symptoms such as weakness with reduced movement of body parts or sensory loss. Rarely do “positive” symptoms such as abnormal movements manifest in acute stroke, with hemichorea being a very rare manifestation. CASE REPORT: This is a case report of a 62-year-old chronic smoker with no known past medical history who presented with choreatic movements of his arm and leg. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed changes consistent with an infarct in the right centrum semiovale. He was treated with dual antiplatelets and was noted to have subsequent improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSION: Recognition and awareness of stroke presenting as movement disorders in the emergency department can help prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment.