Dysdiadochokinesia
| Dysdiadochokinesia | |
| ICD-10 | R27. |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 781.3 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Dysdiadochokinesia, dysdiadochokinesis, or DDK (from Greek dys "bad", dia "across", docho "receive", kinesia "movement") is the medical term for an inability to perform rapid, alternating movements.
The diadochi (Greek for "successors") succeeded Alexander the Great. Their priests performed ritualistic hand movements which were the movements all medical students are taught to perform to illicit cerebellar disease in the upper limbs.
Causes
It is a feature of cerebellar ataxia, and is the result of lesions to the posterior lobe of the cerebellum. It is thought to be caused by the inability to switch on and switch off antagonizing muscle groups. [1] [2]
Dysdiadochokinesia is also seen in multiple sclerosis, as a cerebellar symptom (including ataxia, intentional tremor & dysarthria).
Presentation
It is commonly demonstrated by asking the patient to tap the palm of one hand with the fingers of the other, then rapidly turn over the fingers and tap the palm with the back of them, repeatedly. This movement is known as a pronation/supination test of the upper extremity. A simpler method using this same concept is to ask the patient to demonstrate the movement of trying a door knob or screwing in a lightbulb.
Another method of testing for this condition is called the heel to shin test. This is performed by having the patient in a supine or sitting position. The heel of one foot is rubbed up and down the shin of the opposite leg in a rapid movement. A positive sign of this condition would be that the patient was not able to perform this movement quickly or steadily, instead showing slow and wobbly movements.
References
- ↑ Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016
- ↑ Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X
Symptoms and signs: circulatory (R00–R03, 785) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular |
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| Myeloid/blood |
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Symptoms and signs: respiratory system (R04–R07, 786) | |
|---|---|
| Hemorrhage | * Epistaxis |
| Abnormalities of breathing | ; Respiratory sounds: |
| Other | * Asphyxia |
| Chest, general | * Chest pain |
Symptoms and signs: skin and subcutaneous tissue (R20-R23, 782) | |
|---|---|
| Disturbances of skin sensation | Hypoesthesia - Paresthesia - Hyperesthesia |
| Other | Rash - Cyanosis - Pallor - Flushing - Petechia - Desquamation - Induration - Diaphoresis |
Symptoms and signs: nervous and musculoskeletal systems (R25-R29, 781) | |
|---|---|
| Abnormal involuntary movements (see also movement disorders) | Tremor - Spasm - Fasciculation - Athetosis |
| Gait abnormality | Scissor gait - Antalgic gait - Cerebellar ataxia - Festinating gait - Pigeon gait - Propulsive gait - Steppage gait - Stomping gait - Spastic gait - Myopathic gait - Magnetic gait - Trendelenburg gait |
| Lack of coordination | Ataxia (Cerebellar ataxia, Sensory ataxia) - Dysmetria - Dysdiadochokinesia - Hypotonia |
| Other | Tetany - Meningism - Hyperreflexia - Opisthotonus - Abnormal posturing - Hemispatial neglect |
Symptoms and signs: urinary system (R30-R39, 788) | |
|---|---|
| General | Renal colic - Dysuria - Vesical tenesmus - Urinary incontinence - Urinary retention - Oliguria - Polyuria - Nocturia - Extravasation of urine - Extrarenal uremia |
Symptoms and signs: cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour (R40-R46, 780-781) | |
|---|---|
| General | Anxiety - Somnolence - Coma - Amnesia (Anterograde amnesia, Retrograde amnesia) - Dizziness/Vertigo |
| Olfaction | Anosmia - Parosmia |
| Taste | Ageusia - Parageusia |
Symptoms and signs: Speech and voice (R47-R49, 784) | |
|---|---|
| Aphasia/Dysphasia | Expressive aphasia - Receptive aphasia - Conduction aphasia |
| Other speech disturbances | Dysarthria - Schizophasia |
| Symbolic dysfunctions | Dyslexia - Alexia - Agnosia (Prosopagnosia) - Apraxia - Acalculia - Agraphia |
| Voice disturbances | Dysphonia - Aphonia |
Symptoms and signs: general (R50-R69, 780-789) | |
|---|---|
| General | Fever (Hyperpyrexia) - Headache - Chronic pain - Malaise/Fatigue (Asthenia, Debility) - Fainting (Vasovagal syncope) - Febrile seizure - Shock (Cardiogenic shock) - Lymphadenopathy - Edema (Peripheral edema, Anasarca) - Hyperhidrosis (Sleep hyperhidrosis) - Delayed milestone - Failure to thrive - Short stature (Idiopathic) - food and fluid intake (Anorexia, Polydipsia, Polyphagia) - Cachexia - Xerostomia - Clubbing - Tenderness |
Symptoms and signs: Symptoms concerning nutrition, metabolism and development (R62–R64, 783) | |
|---|---|
| Ingestion/Weight | |
| Growth | Delayed milestone • Failure to thrive • Short stature (e.g., Idiopathic) |
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