Remission of concomitant Henoch-Schöenlein purpura and Sydenham chorea after intravenous corticosteroids

We report a young girl who developed Henoch-Schöenlein purpura at the age of 11 years. Two weeks later she developed severe asymmetric choreic movements and behavioral disturbances. Sydenham's chorea was diagnosed based on the laboratory evidence and she was given intravenous methylprednisolone for five consecutive days. Both behavioral and movement disorder rapidly resolved. She was asymptomatic at three years of follow-up. The rapid resolution of choreic movements and behavioral disturbances in our patients suggests, intravenous corticosteroids may be an option in the treatment of Sydenham′s chorea, more so when the movements are disabling.

Keywords
Henoch-schöenlein purpura, rheumatic fever, sydenham′s chorea intravenous corticosteroids