Clinical features of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia: report of 24 cases.

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is the most common type of paroxysmal dyskinesia and is characterized by involuntary, intermittent movements induced by sudden movements. Here, we describe 24 patients with PKD, whose clinical data were analyzed. The attacks of involuntary movements were all short lasting, and could involve extremities, trunk, neck, or face without alteration of consciousness. The motor function was normal between attacks, and in some cases, attacks could be evoked during examination. Most patients had normal electroencephalogram (EEG) and neuroimaging results, but 2 cases had abnormal EEGs, and another 2 cases had bilateral calcification of basal ganglion on brain computed tomography (CT) scans. Previous history of misdiagnosis was a predominant feature, while treatments based on misdiagnosis sometimes did lead to improvement. Here, we discuss the clinical characteristics, especially the abnormalities of investigations and misdiagnosis, and recent insights into the pathophysiology of PKD.