Acute near-fatal parainfectious cerebellar swelling with favourable outcome.
The clinical course, neuro-imaging features and neuropathologic findings in a child with para-infectious acute cerebellar swelling are described. Reversible transtentorial and transforaminal herniations occurred and required emergency posterior fossa decompression with external ventricular drainage. Neuropathologic examination of a cerebellar biopsy demonstrated a subacute pathogen-free cerebellitis. Following neurosurgical intervention and steroid therapy, symptoms and signs resolved and the patient is well 3 years later. Acute para-infectious cerebellar swelling is potentially fatal unless recognised and treated early in its evolution.
Asenbauer
B
B
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
McConachie
N S
NS
Allcutt
D
D
Farrell
M A
MA
King
M D
MD
D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male