Paroxysmal compulsion to handle keys in a computer operator due to meningioma in the left supplementary motor area

Article type: Other

Authors: Tei, H.^; | Iwata, M. | Miura, Y.

Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Tokyo, Japan | Department of Neurology, Toda Central General Hospital, Saitama, Japan

Note: [] Corresponding author: H. Tei, Department of Neurology, Toda Central General Hospital l-19-3, Hon-cho, Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, 335 Japan. Tel.: +81 48 442 1111; Fax: +81 48 443 0104.

Abstract: We describe the case of a computer operator who experienced paroxysmal attacks several times in which she felt a compulsion to handle keys with her right hand or actually her right hand moved involuntarily in a key-handling rhythm. Cranial CT and MRI revealed a mass lesion in the left medial aspect of the frontal lobe (supplementary motor area). After the removal of this tumor (meningioma), there were no more paroxysmal attacks. We suggest that voluntary movements controlled by the supplementary motor area were deranged by seizures provoked by the tumor. This case is attractive in relation to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Keywords: Supplementary motor area, brain tumor, motor control, seizure, obsessive-compulsive disorder

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 93-96, 1998