Cerebellitis in an adult with abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings prior to the onset of ataxia.
BACKGROUND
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings during acute cerebellar ataxia in cases of postinfectious cerebellitis are frequently normal. This has resulted in the use of other imaging modalities, such as single-photon emission computed tomography, to aid diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the chronologic occurrence of cerebellar ataxia, abnormal findings on MRI, and cerebral spinal fluid pleocytosis in an adult case of postinfectious cerebellitis.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A patient with a 6-week history of occipital headaches and only mild tandem gait difficulty had abnormal MRI findings that were consistent with cerebellar inflammation. As cerebellar ataxia progressed in parallel with cerebral spinal fluid pleocytosis, MRI findings indicative of cerebellar inflammation resolved, while single-photon emission computed tomography showed cerebellar hyperperfusion. Recovery of neurologic function was accompanied by clearing of the pleocytosis and residual MRI-detected cerebellar atrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates that transient abnormalities can be detected by MRI before clinical manifestations of cerebellitis appear, while hyperperfusion detected by single-photon emission computed tomography is prolonged.
Gruis
Kirsten L
KL
Department of Neurology and Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA. kgruis@umich.edu
Moretti
Paolo
P
Gebarski
Stephen S
SS
Mikol
Daniel D
DD
D000328:Adult; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon