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Detailed information of ACUTE CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
ACUTE CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
DEFINITION:
A movement disorder characterized by the sudden onset of acute
truncal ataxia 2-3 weeks after a viral infection.
EPIDEMIOLOGY:
- incidence: ?
- age of onset:
- risk factors:
- viral infections (varicella, coxsackie, echovirus)
- prodrome of 5-10 days prior to onset of acute ataxia
PATHOGENESIS:
- viral infection -> autoimmune response -> cerebellum
targetted with acute injury -> acute postinfectious cerebellitis
CLINICAL FEATURES:
- sudden onset
- maximal at onset (worst within the first 24 hours)
- ranges from mild to child unable to sit or stand
- remits after a few days but complete recovery not until 3
weeks to 5 months
- associated symptoms:
- mild horizontal nystagmus (50% of cases)
- dysarthria
- nausea and vomiting
- most patients have a complete recovery but some may have
long-standing sequelae:
- behavioural and speech disorders
- ataxia and incoordination
INVESTIGATIONS:
- slight lymphocytic pleocytosis (10-30 cells/ul)
- slightly elevated protein
2. Others
- normal imaging studies and drug screen
MANAGEMENT:
- no treatment available
- condition is self-resolving in most cases
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Pediatric Database - ACUTE CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
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