Chorea

Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by irregular, involuntary, purposeless movements of the limbs, trunk, or face. Etiologies include Huntington disease, rheumatic fever (Sydenham chorea), metabolic disorders, and drug-induced causes. Pathophysiology involves dysfunction of the basal ganglia, particularly the striatum. Diagnosis is clinical, supported by family history, neuroimaging, and laboratory testing as indicated. Management is etiology-specific, with symptomatic treatment using dopamine-depleting or dopamine receptor-blocking agents; prognosis depends on underlying cause, with genetic forms often progressive.