Tourette syndrome
Background
- Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics
- Onset typically in childhood (mean age 6-7 years)
- Tics wax and wane in severity over time
- Often comorbid with ADHD and OCD
Clinical Features
- Multiple motor tics (eye blinking, head jerking, facial grimacing)
- At least one vocal tic (throat clearing, sniffing, coprolalia)
- Tics present for >1 year
- Onset before age 18
Differential Diagnosis
- Transient tic disorder
- Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
- Drug-induced tics
- Chorea
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis based on history and observation
- No specific laboratory or imaging studies required
Management
Disposition
- Outpatient management
- Neurology referral for medication management