Rapid correction by 1-α-hydroxycholecalciferol of hemichorea in surgical hypoparathyroidism

Abstract

A 45-year-old woman with long standing surgical hypoparathyroidism presented with right hemichorea of three months' duration. She had profound hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia and extensive cerebral, cerebellar and basal ganglia calcification. Correction of the chemical abnormalities with 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, calcium supplements and aluminium hydroxide resulted within 10 weeks in complete disappearance of the abnormal movements.