Diabetic striatopathy, a rare condition also known as hyperglycemic nonketotic hemichorea, is characterized by chorea or hemiballismus and distinctive basal ganglia abnormalities visible on neuroimaging. We present the case of an 86-year-old woman with diabetic striatopathy exhibiting hemichorea. She had a history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and presented with involuntary movements of her left limb along with facial expressions suggestive of chorea. Laboratory tests confirmed hyperglycemia, with an elevated hemoglobin A1c level. Neuroimaging revealed T1-hyperintensity in the right basal ganglia. The patient was diagnosed with diabetic striatopathy and responded well to intensive insulin therapy with a rapid resolution of symptoms.
Keywords: Diabetic striatopathy; chorea; hemichorea; hyperglycemic; neuroimaging.