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-Schonlein purpura,20hyoscine intoxication,21hypocalcemia,22hypoglycemia,21hypomagnesemia,23hypoparathyroidism,22incontinentia pigmenti,24isoniazid (INH) poisoning,11