[Transient involuntary movements after severe cranio-cerebral trauma]

In a patient rhythmic, coarse tremor of the right hand and fingers 5/sec. was observed 5 weeks after severe craniocerebral injury. The tremor occurred at rest and increased during movements but disappeared in sleep. In view of associated mask-like facial expression, salivation, cog-wheel sign in the right upper extremity the diagnosis of traumatic, hemiparkinsonian syndrome was made and treatment with Nacom was started. Normal concentration of homovanilic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid and lack of effect of Nacom treatment failed to confirm this diagnosis. Nine weeks after trauma a rotatory movement of the right upper extremity appeared additionally. It is to be accepted that this was an involuntary movement poorly classificable which disappeared spontaneously.