Emergency presentations of movement disorders

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Movement disorders are often viewed as chronic, progressive conditions managed outpatient.
• However, they can present acutely, evolving over hours to days, constituting a medical emergency.

Observation:

• Acute movement disorder emergencies require prompt recognition and management in emergency departments or intensive care units.
• These emergencies can be hypokinetic or hyperkinetic, with hyperkinetic presentations being more common.

Findings:

• This review focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of acute movement disorder emergencies.
• Guidance is provided for acute care settings, highlighting treatable causes and emphasizing expert opinion due to limited evidence.

Implications:

• Neurologists must be familiar with the phenomenology, causes, and treatments of these rare but critical conditions.
• Early intervention in movement disorder emergencies can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.