Chorea Hyperglycemia Basal Ganglia Syndrome in a Young Patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a Case Report

Chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia (CHBG) syndrome is an uncommon manifestation of diabetes seen in patients with poor glycemic control. It is characterized by sudden onset of chorea with characteristic hyperintensities of the basal ganglia on brain magnetic resonance imaging. We report a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and hypertension, who presented with acute symptoms of chorea involving both the upper and lower limbs with facial and cervical dystonia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral hyperintensities of the globus pallidus and putamen. Control of blood glucose levels led to resolution of the choreic movements. In addition, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed improvement in the hyperintensities of the basal ganglia bilaterally.