Movement disorders in dengue encephalitis: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV). The clinical manifestations of DENV infection range from mild febrile illness to severe dengue shock syndrome and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Recently, its neurological manifestations have been reported. The mechanisms of neurological complications in DENV infection are often attributed to neurotropism or may be immune-mediated. A double-doughnut sign is a radiological pattern of signal changes in the bilateral thalami, resembling a doughnut. Although this sign has been reported with dengue encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and other neurotropic infections, its co-occurrence with mixed movement disorders is rare. We report a case of dengue encephalitis involving a spectrum of movement disorders in the form of jaw opening dystonia, stereotypies, parkinsonism, and tremors during recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral thalami involvement with a double-doughnut sign. The patient was managed with pulse steroid therapy and benzodiazepines and showed gradual improvement in symptoms. Movement disorders with DENV infection are rare and self-limiting.

Keywords

• dengue
• dystonia
• parkinsonian disorders
• encephalitis