Acute Cerebellar Ataxia

[摘要] This is a report of seven cases of acute cerebellar ataxia and an analysis of 33 cases from the literature. The syndrome is characterized by a sudden onset of ataxia in a previously well child. It occurs usually in children less than 5 years of age. The symptoms include staggering, falling, a drunken and uncertain gait; gross intention tremor, staccato speech and nystagmus are frequently present. There are no abnormal findings in the cerebrospinal fluid and fever is absent. Recovery usually takes place in a period from a few days to 6 months. The principal source of concern in the differential diagnosis is a posterior fossa tumor. The rapid onset of symptoms and absence of increase in pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid serve to distinguish the condition from a cerebellar tumor. Because of the favorable outcome, the nature of the pathologic process is not known. In some cases there was an increase in protein in the cerebrospinal fluid at some time during the later course of the disorder. The differential diagnosis from brain tumor, labyrinthine ataxia, and acute demyelinating diseases is discussed.

[学科分类] 儿科学