title: Clinical assessment of the sensory ataxias; diagnostic algorithm with illustrative cases.
abstract: Ataxia is a common neurological syndrome resulting from cerebellar, vestibular or sensory disorders. The recognition and characterisation of sensory ataxia remains a challenge. Cerebellar ataxia is the more common and easier to identify; sensory ataxia is often mistaken for cerebellar ataxia, leading to diagnostic errors and delays. A coherent aetiological work-up is only possible if clinicians initially recognise sensory ataxia. We discuss ways to separate sensory from cerebellar ataxia, the causes of sensory ataxia and the clinico-neurophysiological syndromes causing the sensory ataxia syndromes. We summarise a logical tiered approach as a diagnostic algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chhetri
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gow
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaunak
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001259:Ataxia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000175:diagnosis*