音声チックを示したトゥレット障害の1例

A Case of Tourette Disorder Showing Vocal Tic

　はじめに

　チックとは「不随意的，急速な，再発的，非リズム的，常同的な筋肉運動または発声」をいう。この定義が示すように，チック症状の現われ方は単純ではなく，また単なる目や口などの体の一部を頻回に動かす運動性チックだけではなく，声や言葉になって現われる音声チックもある^1）。

　今回われわれは，口蓋扁桃摘出（以下，扁摘と略）後より発症したと思われる音声チックを示したトゥレット障害の1例を経験したので，文献的考察を加えて報告する。

A 9-year-old girl with Tourette disorder showing vocal tic is reported. Motor tics characterized by gaping and opening of the lower jaw to the right and inferiorly and by wiggling and twisting of the body were noted, and vocal tie with frequent vocalization of “Wooo...” developed after tonsil-lectomy. Since these two types of motor tices and the vocal tic were observed for over one and a half years, diagnosis of Tourette disorder was made. In this case, abnormalities in electroence-phalograms were mild, and no psychological factors were identified. The vocal tic responded to haloperidol, but exacerbation and remission alternated for over 2 years. Collaborative treat-ment with the Department of Psychiatry is con-sidered to be needed in her future treatment as it has been to date. As tie may deteriorate if the patient is warned to stop it, understanding of the condition by people around the patient and psy-chological stability of the patient are important.