Temporary cerebellar hypoperfusion with good outcome in cerebellitis

Abstract

The relation between clinical outcome and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) results in cerebellitis has not been studied. A 63-year-old man developed cerebellar dysfunction with left emphasis one week after onset of cough. The only abnormality on analysis of cerebrospinal fluid was elevated protein (68 mg/dl). Magnetic resonance imaging was normal on the ninth day of ataxia. SPECT showed unilateral cerebellar hypoperfusion on the 13th day, but was normal on the 20th day. His gait improved a little by discharge on the 28th day and his tandem gait was only slightly unsteady six months later. This is the first evidence that normalization of cerebellar hypoperfusion in adult patients with cerebellitis is related to good outcome. Normalization of cerebellar hypoperfusion can occur in three weeks even when ataxia remains severe.