Acquired progressive ataxia and palatal tremor: importance of MRI evidence of hemosiderin deposition and vascular malformations

Oculopalatal tremor is frequently accompanied by progressive ataxia. In symptomatic oculopalatal tremor the ataxia frequently is delayed in onset. Progressive ataxia is a defining clinical feature of superficial siderosis. We report 5 cases with palatal tremor and ataxia. Four cases had evidence of intraparenchymal hemosiderin deposition on T2-gradient-echo imaging. Three cases had a brainstem vascular malformation. In two cases the hemosiderin deposition was likely due to prior trauma. The significance of these associations and possible similarities between ataxia related to superficial siderosis and ataxia and intraparenchymal hemosiderin is discussed.