Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2016.
World J Clin Pediatr. Feb 8, 2016; 5(1): 128-135
Published online Feb 8, 2016. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v5.i1.128
Table 1 Types and description of tics
SimpleComplex
Vocal or PhonicSimple phonic/vocal tics: These are sudden meaningless noises or soundsComplex phonic/vocal tics: These are sudden and more meaningful words, syllables or phrases
Examples: Throat clearing, coughing, spitting, barking, hissing, sucking, clacking, gurgling, sniffing, gruntingExamples: Echolalia (repeating words or phrases spoken by others), palilalia (rapid repetition of one’s own words or phrases), and coprolalia (compulsive utterance of obscene words or phrases)
Coprolalia is not pathognomonic of tourette syndrome. In fact less than 10% of tourette syndrome patients exhibit coprolalia. Hence, coprolalia is not required in diagnosing tourette syndrome
MotorSimple motor tics: Rapid, meaningless contractions of one or a few musclesComplex motor tics: Less common, typically more purposeful movements with a slower and longer nature. The movements appear more coordinated and may involve a cluster of movements
Examples: Eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, head jerking, hand clapping, neck stretching, mouth movements, head, arm or leg jerks, and facial grimacingExamples: Facial gestures, dystonic postures, throwing, arm thrusting, touching objects or people, stereotyped imitation of the movements (echopraxia) and obscene gestures (copropraxia)
Table 2 Definitions and classification of tic disorders
Classification of tic syndromes/tourette's disorder. Tourette Syndrome Classification Study Group. Tourette Syndrome Criteria: (TSCSG 1993)
A Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics have been present at some time during the illness, although not necessarily concurrently
B The tics occur many times a day, nearly every day, or intermittently throughout a period of more than a year
C The anatomic location, number, frequency, complexity, type, severity of tics changes over time
D Onset before age 21
E Involuntary movements and noises cannot be explained by other medical conditions
F Motor and/or vocal tics must be witnessed by a reliable examiner directly at some point in the illness or be recorded by videotape or cinematography
Table 3 Common differential diagnoses of tics
Stroke
Dystonia
PANDAS
Encephalitis
Head trauma
Epileptic seizures
Sydenham’s chorea
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Functional movement disorders in children
Chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome
Genetic conditions (such as Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease and Tuberous sclerosis)
Stereotypy (in developmental disorders such as Autism spectrum disorders and Stereotypic movement disorder)
Medication-induced tics (i.e., Neuroleptics, Stimulants, Antiepileptics, Lithium)