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Tic Emergencies

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Movement Disorder Emergencies

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

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Abstract

Tics are sudden involuntary stereotypic movements or sounds that emerge out of a normal background. The majority of patients with tic disorders either do not require pharmacological intervention or have a benign course of the tic disorder with appropriate treatment. In rare instances, tics are severe enough to cause a neurologic emergency. First, intense exacerbations may occur in the normal context of the waxing and waning course of tic disorders, sometimes exacerbated by medication or stress. Second, tics can cause secondary neurological impairment that may result in new disability, such as a case described here of sciatic nerve damage due to marked leg tics. Third, sudden and unusual tics can emerge in the context of acute neurological disorders other than Tourette Syndrome, and finally, the pharmacological treatment of tics can cause sudden adverse events in the form of tardive dyskinesia or akathisia. In this chapter, each of these tic emergencies is discussed, and the diagnosis and treatment are reviewed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Caroloina, 326 Calhoun Street, Suite 308, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Vanessa K. Hinson M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Neurological Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Suite 755, 1725 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Christopher G. Goetz M.D.

Authors
  1. Vanessa K. Hinson M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Christopher G. Goetz M.D.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Vanessa K. Hinson M.D., Ph.D. or Christopher G. Goetz M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, West 168th St. Suite 310 710, New York, 10032, USA

    Steven J. Frucht

Electronic Supplementary Material

Movement_Disorders_Emergencies_C16.mov (217,705 KB)

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Hinson, V.K., Goetz, C.G. (2013). Tic Emergencies. In: Frucht, S. (eds) Movement Disorder Emergencies. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-835-5_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-835-5_16

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-834-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-835-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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