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Holmes tremor following midbrain abscess in an immunocompromised patient: a case report


Citation

Izzuddin, Anas Aminin W.M. and Khan, Abdul Hanif Khan Yusof and Apandi, Laila Mastura Ahmad and Loh, Wei Chao and Chia, Peck Kee and Mat, Liyana Najwa Inche and Sulaiman, Wan Aliaa Wan and Hoo, Fan Kee and Basri, Hamidon (2026) Holmes tremor following midbrain abscess in an immunocompromised patient: a case report. Neurology India, 74 (2). pp. 291-293. ISSN 0028-3886; eISSN: 1998-4022

Abstract

Holmes tremor (HT) is a rare occurrence due to insults located at the midbrain. We are reporting a case of HT, which occurred in a retroviral disease patient who presented with a 1-week history of fever associated with third and fourth cranial nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a midbrain lesion favoring abscess with blood investigations revealed positive serology for toxoplasmosis. The patient was started on toxoplasmosis treatment coupled with a six-week course of antibiotics. Following one-month post-treatment, the patient complained of a tremor that characteristics of HT with repeated computed tomography brain revealed resolving brain abscess. This case highlights an important reminder of potential neurological sequelae due to midbrain abscess and the importance of recognition of HT. The management of HT is challenging, involving the initial use of dopaminergic agonists with a potential role of deep brain stimulation in refractory cases.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Neurology
Subject: Neurology (clinical)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.4103/neuroindia.NI_578_20
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
Keywords: Brain abscess; Deep brain stimulation; Dopamine agonists; Immunocompromised host; Tremor
Depositing User: Ms. Siti Radziah Mohamed@mahmod
Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2026 07:44
Last Modified: 13 Apr 2026 07:44
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.4103/neuroindia.NI_578_20
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/124278
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