Diabetic Ketoacidosis–Associated Hemichorea–Hemiballismus: Rare Imaging Findings, CT Diagnosis, and Radiology Interpretation in Emergency Neurology
Diabetic Ketoacidosis–Associated Hemichorea–Hemiballismus: A Rare Emergency Radiology Diagnosis Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is traditionally recognized as a life-threatening endocrine emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. However, in rare circumstances, DKA may trigger unusual neurologic complications that challenge even experienced clinicians and radiologists. One such rare imaging entity is hemichorea–hemiballismus (HCHB) occurring after DKA recovery. Although uncommon, this syndrome is increasingly recognized in emergency neuroradiology and medical imaging literature because early CT and MRI diagnosis can dramatically alter patient outcomes. The disorder is characterized by involuntary unilateral movements caused by dysfunction of the basal ganglia, often associated with metabolic derangements. Radiologists play a central role because imaging findings may be subtle, delayed, or mimic other devastating neurologic emerge...