On Chorea, Lupus Erythematosus, and Cerebral Arteritis

Abstract

NONHEREDITARY chorea is usually thought to be caused by rheumatic fever.^1-4In patients without rheumatic disease, chorea is often attributed to psychiatric problems, or it is given no specific etiology.^5-8The terms "pure" or nonrheumatic chorea have been used for such cases.^6,7There are, however, many less common and frequently overlooked causes of chorea which should be considered when there is no evidence of rheumatic fever. In some of these conditions, the movement disorder appears as part of a well-defined process, but in other instances, the abnormal movements are the presenting or major complaint and the diagnosis may be difficult. Among the illnesses in which chorea has been observed are Addison's disease,⁹ataxia-telangiectasia,¹⁰beriberi,¹¹brain tumors,^12-14burns in children,¹⁵carbon monoxide intoxication,¹⁶cerbral lipidoses,¹¹cerebral vascular disease,^17,18diptheria,¹⁹encephalitis (St. Louis, inclusion body and epidemic),^11,18Henoch-Schönlein purpura,²⁰hyoscine intoxication,²¹hypocalcemia,²²hypoglycemia,²¹hypomagnesemia,²³hypoparathyroidism,²²incontinentia pigmenti,²⁴isoniazid (INH) poisoning,¹¹