hemiballism

hemiballism, hemiballismus

violent motor restlessness of half of the body, most marked in the upper extremity.

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hemiballism

Neurology A hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by violent flailing movements of the arm and leg contralateral to a lesion–hemorrhage or infarction, or rarely tumor of the subthalamic nucleus; hemiballism follows recovery from a stroke-induced hemiparesis and hemisensory defect Clinical Motor Sx may have a rotatory component in the shoulder or hip, accompanied by choreiform movements–repeated flexion and extension of hands and feet; movements usually disappear during sleep Management Neuroleptics–eg, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, reserpine, antipsychotics, or other agents that interfere with dopamine transmission–eg, reserpine