Non-ketotic hyperglycaemic chorea: A SPECT study

Objective-To study regional blood flow of the striatum in non-ketotic hyperglycaemic choreic patients. Methods-Brain SPECT was performed with intravenous injection of 20 mCi (TC)-T-99m hexamethylpropylene amineoxime in six non-ketotic hyperglycaemic choreic patients and 10 age matched patients with a similar level of hyperglycaemia without chorea as a control. The focal perfusion defects were analysed by visual interpretation and semiquantitative determination with reference to homolateral occipital blood flow. Results-The measured blood flow striatum on the contralateral side chorea was significantly decreased. Conclusions-Hypometabolism of the striatum is seen not only in Huntington's disease, but also in non-ketotic hyperglycaemic chorea. Hypofunction of the striatum is a possible common pathogenesis in the development of contralateral chorea in different diseases. Furthermore, the sensitivity and reliability of SPECT is as good as PET in assessing choreic patients.