TRANSIENT HEMIBALLISM

Abstract

A transient episode of hemiballism occurred in a 70-year-old hypertensive male who was hospitalized because of chest pain. Hypotension was followed by hemiballism which lasted for 6 days, disappeared during prochlorperazine therapy and did not recur after the drug was discontinued. The blood pressure subsequently returned to hypertensive levels and remained elevated. The histo-pathology and clinical syndrome are discussed. A more favorable prognosis is indicated by the recovery in this individual case. The potential hazard of antihypertensive drug therapy is stressed in older, arteriosclerotic patients.