Electroencephalogram in Sydenham's Chorea

Abstract

"Chorea St. Viti" was described by Sydenham 1 in 1685, but its pathogenesis is not yet completely understood. The disease occurs as a manifestation of rheumatic fever; but in some cases this association cannot be demonstrated, and evidence of an antecedent streptococcal infection is not invariable. In the absence of signs of rheumatic fever, the diagnosis of Sydenham's chorea may be established by the character and distribution of the involuntary movements, by exclusion of other types of chorea, and by the self-limited course of the illness. The present study was undertaken to explore further the possible value of the electroencephalogram in the diagnosis of Sydenham's chorea. Abnormalities of the electroencephalogram in patients with Sydenham's chorea have been reported previously, but the incidence and character of the abnormalities have been inconsistent and authors have differed in their interpretations of the findings. Usher and Jasper² examined 23 patients and found, in