A case of chronic recurrent cerebellar ataxia responding to steroid therapy

Brain Dev. 2009 Jan;31(1):83-5. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2008.04.010. Epub 2008 Jun 12.

Abstract

We present a 25-month-old female having unusual cerebellar ataxia responsive to steroid therapy. She had suddenly suffered from action tremor and trunkal ataxia, following antecedent mild respiratory infection. These symptoms lasted for a month, and therefore she was referred to our hospital. No abnormal findings were disclosed for cerebrospinal fluid or MR images, but anti-glutamate receptor delta2 antibodies were detected in serum. MR spectroscopy of the cerebellum revealed a decrease in the N-acethylasparate/creatine ratio, suggesting micro-neuronal damage. She had quickly responded to high-dose methylpredonisolone therapy and the effectiveness of this steroid was reproducible in the subsequent relapses of ataxia. This clinical course seemed to be unique and was characterized as chronic recurrent cerebellar ataxia responding to steroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / drug therapy*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / complications
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone