This scale gives scientists and clinicians a way to compare patients and determine the range of the disorder.The name hemiballismus literally means "half ballistic", referring to the violent, flailing movements observed on one side of the body. Causes
In examining the causes of hemiballismus, it is important to remember that this disorder is extremely rare. While hemiballismus can result from the following list, just because a patient has one of these disorders does not mean they will also experience hemiballismus. Stroke
Hemisballismus as a result of stroke occurs in only about 0.45 cases per hundred thousand stroke patients. Even at such a small rate, stroke is by far the most common cause of hemiballismus. A stroke causes tissue to die due to a lack of oxygen resulting from an impaired blood supply. In the basal ganglia, this can result in the death of tissue that helps to control movement. As a result, the brain is left with damaged tissue that sends damaged signals to the skeletal muscles in the body. The result is occasionally a patient with hemiballismus. Traumatic brain injury
Hemiballismus can also occur as a result of a traumatic brain injury. There are cases in which survivors of assault or other forms of violence have developed hemiballismus. Through these acts of violence, the survivors brain has been damaged and the hemiballistic movements have developed. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
This disease causes neuronal loss and gliosis, which can include the subthalamic nucleus and other areas of the brain.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type IV (CDA IV) has been described with typical morphologic features of CDA II but a negative acidified-serum test. Presentation
CDA type IV is characterized by mild to moderate splenomegaly. Hemoglobin is very low and patients are transfusion dependent. MCV is normal or mildly elevated. Erythropoiesis is normoblastic or mildly to moderately megaloblastic. Nonspecific erythroblast dysplasia is present. Genetics
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type IV is an autosomal dominant inherited red blood cell disorder characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis resulting in anemia. Circulating erythroblasts and erythroblasts in the bone marrow show various morphologic abnormalities. Affected individuals with CDAN4 also have increased levels of fetal hemoglobin. Diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment consists of frequent blood transfusions and chelation therapy. Potential cures include bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy. See also
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia
Thalassemia
Hemoglobinopathy
List of hematologic conditions

References
Further reading
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia at the US National Institutes of Health Home Genetic Reference]


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