Two cases of acute onset hemichorea-hemiballism in female patients with complicated diabetes mellitus are described. Computerized tomography showed diffuse basal ganglia hemorrhage contralateral to the abnormal movements. Occurrence of such a presentation in a teenager with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is unique. The relationships between non-ketotic hyperglycemia, structural damage in the basal ganglia and movement disorders are reviewed.
chorea; ballism; diabetes mellitus