Abstract
The term “belly dancer’s dyskinesia” refers to a form of focal dyskinesia affecting the abdominal wall. The clinical characteristics of this unusual dyskinesia are somewhat variable but usually consist of writhing movements and contractions of the abdominal muscles. These movements cannot be voluntarily suppressed but may be influenced by respiratory maneuvers. Onset is usually gradual and has sometimes occurred following local trauma or abdominal surgical procedures. It is also a common manifestation of tardive dyskinesia due to long-term use of dopamine receptor blocking agents. It may also occur in the setting of a psychogenic movement disorder. Investigations such as spinal and abdominal imaging usually fail to reveal any local abnormalities to explain the movement disorder.
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Slow contorting and writhing movements of the anterior abdominal wall are evident, resulting in displacement of the umbilicus in various directions. The patient occasionally voluntarily shrugged her shoulders in response to her abdominal discomfort.
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Bhidayasiri, R., Tarsy, D. (2012). Belly Dancer’s Dyskinesia. In: Movement Disorders: A Video Atlas. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-426-5_82
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-426-5_82
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Publisher Name: Humana, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-425-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-426-5
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