Tardive dyskinesia presenting as gastrointestinal disorder

Tardive dyskinesia is an involuntary movement disorder characterized by choreoathetoid movements, tics, grimaces, and dystonia secondary to the prolonged use of neuroleptic medication. The characteristic abnormal movements associated with tardive dyskinesia involve orofacial muscle dyskinesias as well as the limbs and trunk. Involvement of the respiratory musculature and esophagus has rarely been reported. The authors describe a case of tardive dyskinesia presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. This case illustrates that neuroleptic side effects and the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia need to be considered in the assessment of gastrointestinal complaints in patients with long-term neuroleptic exposure.