title: Neuroimaging Findings and Repeat Neuroimaging Value in Pediatric Chronic Ataxia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic ataxia, greater than two months in duration, is encountered relatively commonly in clinical pediatric neurology practise and presents with diagnostic challenges. It is caused by multiple and diverse disorders. Our aims were to describe the neuroimaging features and the value of repeat neuroimaging in pediatric chronic ataxia to ascertain their contribution to the diagnosis and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective charts and neuroimaging reports review was undertaken in 177 children with chronic ataxia. Neuroimaging in 130 of 177 patients was also reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients had head computed tomography only, 103 brain magnetic resonance imaging only, and 55 had both. Abnormalities in the cerebellum or other brain regions were associated with ataxia. Neuroimaging was helpful in 73 patients with 30 disorders: It was diagnostic in 9 disorders, narrowed down the diagnostic possibilities in 14 disorders, and revealed important but non-diagnostic abnormalities, e.g. cerebellar atrophy in 7 disorders. Having a normal magnetic resonance imaging scan was mostly seen in genetic diseases or in the early course of ataxia telangiectasia. Repeat neuroimaging, performed in 108 patients, was generally helpful in monitoring disease evolution and in making a diagnosis. Neuroimaging was not directly helpful in 36 patients with 10 disorders or by definition the 55 patients with unknown disease etiology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normal or abnormal neuroimaging findings and repeat neuroimaging are very valuable in the diagnosis and management of disorders associated with pediatric chronic ataxia.
authors.affiliation: 1Sections of Pediatric Neurology,Winnipeg Children's Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.affiliation: 2Genetics and Metabolism,Winnipeg Children's Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Bernard N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Chodirker
authors.affiliation: 3Pediatric Radiology,Winnipeg Children's Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bunge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001259:Ataxia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Chronic ataxia; MRI; pediatric