A case of diabetic striatopathy due to uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic striatopathy is a relatively new term for metabolic etiology of hemichorea-hemiballismus syndrome and was coined in 2009. The triad for diabetic striatopathy is poor glycemic control, unilateral striatal hyperdensity on CT imaging, and contralateral choreic movements. Multiple etiologies have been suggested for the cause of diabetic striatopathy including petechial hemorrhage, mineral deposition, myelin destruction, and infarction with reactive astrocytosis; however, the exact mechanism has yet to be determined. Antidopaminergic medications may be used to control the choreic movements of diabetic striatopathy; however, the mainstay of treatment is glycemic control, often with insulin therapy.