Management of Severe Hemiballismus: Treatment Challenges in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: A Case Presentation.

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a patient with profound right-sided hemiballismus resulting from an acute unilateral left thalamic lesion. The hemiballismus was significant and persistent, resulting in profound functional disability. We discuss the use of low-dose haloperidol in conjunction with acute rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiballismus, resulting in decreased amplitude and frequency of adventitious movements and leading to substantial functional gains in our patient. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive report of successful rehabilitation of a patient with functionally disabling hemiballismus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V.