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Sanami S, Shamsabadi S, Dayhimi A, Pirhayati M, Ahmad S, Pirhayati A, Ajami M, Hemati S, Shirvani M, Alagha A, Abbarin D, Alizadeh A, Pazoki-Toroudi H. Association between cytomegalovirus infection and neurological disorders: A systematic review. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2532. [PMID: 38549138 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the Herpesviridae family and is also known as human herpesvirus type 5. It is a common virus that usually doesn't cause any symptoms in healthy individuals. However, once infected, the virus remains in the host's body for life and can reactivate when the host's immune system weakens. This virus has been linked to several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Autism spectrum disorder, Huntington's disease (HD), ataxia, Bell's palsy (BP), and brain tumours, which can cause a wide range of symptoms and challenges for those affected. CMV may influence inflammation, contribute to brain tissue damage, and elevate the risk of moderate-to-severe dementia. Multiple studies suggest a potential association between CMV and ataxia in various conditions, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute cerebellitis, etc. On the other hand, the evidence regarding CMV involvement in BP is conflicting, and also early indications of a link between CMV and HD were challenged by subsequent research disproving CMV's presence. This systematic review aims to comprehensively investigate any link between the pathogenesis of CMV and its potential role in neurological disorders and follows the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis checklist. Despite significant research into the potential links between CMV infection and various neurological disorders, the direct cause-effect relationship is not fully understood and several gaps in knowledge persist. Therefore, continued research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the role of CMV in neurological disorders and potential treatment avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Sanami
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Shahnam Shamsabadi
- Department of Physiology, Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Dayhimi
- Department of Physiology, Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Pirhayati
- Psychiatric Department, Rasool Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Department of Health and Biological Sciences, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan
- Department of Computer Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Marjan Ajami
- National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, School of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Hemati
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Masoud Shirvani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Salamat-Farda Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Alagha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Salamat-Farda Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Abbarin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Salamat-Farda Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Alizadeh
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi
- Department of Physiology, Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Huff HV, Wilson-Murphy M. Neuroinfectious Diseases in Children: Pathophysiology, Outcomes, and Global Challenges. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 151:53-64. [PMID: 38103523 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens with affinity for the central nervous system (CNS) in children are diverse in their mechanisms of infecting and attacking the brain. Infections can reach the CNS via hematogenous routes, transneurally thereby avoiding the blood-brain barrier, and across mucosal or skin surfaces. Once transmission occurs, pathogens can wreak havoc both by direct action on host cells and via an intricate interplay between the protective and pathologic actions of the host's immune system. Pathogen prevalence varies depending on region, and susceptibility differs based on epidemiologic factors such as age, immune status, and genetics. In addition, some infectious diseases are monophasic, whereas others may lie dormant for years, thereby causing a dynamic effect on outcomes. Outcomes in survivors are highly variable for each particular pathogen and depend on the vaccination and immune status of the patient as well as the speed by which the patient receives evidence-based treatments. Given pathogens cause communicable diseases that can cause morbidity and mortality on a population level when spread, the burden is often the greatest and the outcomes the worst in low-resource settings. Here we will focus on the most common infections with a propensity to affect a child's brain, the pathologic mechanisms by which they do so, and what is known about the developmental outcomes in children who are affected by these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanalise V Huff
- Department of Neurology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Sun M, Dai Y. Late-onset cobalamin C deficiency type in adult with cognitive and behavioral disturbances and significant cortical atrophy and cerebellar damage in the MRI: a case report. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1308289. [PMID: 38148982 PMCID: PMC10749923 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1308289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Late-onset cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency is associated with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, hematological manifestations, anorexia, renal failure, ocular abnormalities, dermatitis, and pancreatitis. However, the neuroimaging characteristics of late-onset cblC deficiency remain insufficiently documented. Common findings include diffuse white matter swelling, varying degrees of severe leukoaraiosis, hydrocephalus, corpus callosum atrophy, and symmetric bilateral basal ganglia lesions. In this report, we present a case of late-onset cblC deficiency in adults presenting with cerebellar ataxia as the primary symptom. The MRI findings revealed bilateral lateral cerebellar hemispheres exhibiting symmetric hyperintensity, primarily observed in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), which is a rarely reported imaging change in this context. Case presentation Our patient was a male who experienced symptoms starting at the age of 30 years, including unsteady walking, apparent cerebellar ataxia, and cognitive impairment upon nervous system examination. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exhibited symmetric hyperintensity in the bilateral lateral cerebellar hemispheres, predominantly manifested in DWI, without any enhancement. Subsequently, significantly elevated blood total homocysteine and urinary methylmalonic acid levels were observed. Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of MMACHC compound heterozygous mutants c.482G > A and c.609G > A, thus confirming the diagnosis of cblC deficiency. These variants were classified as likely pathogenic following the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and were verified using Sanger sequencing. Following treatment, the patient experienced improvements in walking ability and cognition, a significant decrease in blood total homocysteine levels, and reversal of the imaging lesions. In conclusion Late-onset cblC deficiency presents with diverse clinical and imaging manifestations. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in achieving a favorable prognosis. This case serves as a reminder to clinicians not to overlook genetic metabolic disorders, particularly those causing multisite damage, in adult patients with undiagnosed neurological disorders, especially those affecting the cerebellum. Notably, methylmalonic acidemia should be considered within the spectrum of bilateral cerebellar lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yingjie Dai
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
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Monzani NA, Corsello A, Tagliabue C, Pinzani R, Mauri E, Agostoni C, Milani GP, Dilena R. Early acute cerebellar ataxia after meningococcal B vaccine: a case report of a 7-month-old infant and a review of the literature. Ital J Pediatr 2023; 49:61. [PMID: 37277843 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01480-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) and acute cerebellitis represent disorders characterized by a para-infectious, post-infectious, or post-vaccination cerebellar inflammation. They are relatively common neurologic disorders among children, and may follow infections, or, more rarely, vaccinations. Few cases are instead described among infants. Although the immunization with meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccine has been associated with some neurological side effects, suspected ACA has been reported only once in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION we describe a 7-month-old female that presented ACA within 24 h from the MenB second dose vaccination. Extensive laboratory studies and magnetic resonance imaging excluded other causes. We then conducted an extended review of other vaccine related cases reported in the literature, focusing on the clinical characteristics of ACA and finding that ataxia and cerebellitis of para- or post-infectious cause are very rarely described in the first year of life. We collected 20 articles published in the last 30 years, including an amount of 1663 patients (1-24 years) with ACA. CONCLUSIONS a very small number of suspected post-vaccinal ataxias has been described in recent years, compared to other causes, and vaccination remains an unquestionable medical need. Further research is needed to clarify the complex pathogenesis of this disorder and its eventual link with vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Adriano Monzani
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Tagliabue
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, SC Pediatria Pneumoinfettivologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Pinzani
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, SC Pediatria Pneumoinfettivologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Mauri
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, S.C. Neurofisiopatologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Agostoni
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Gregorio Paolo Milani
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Robertino Dilena
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, S.C. Neurofisiopatologia, Milan, Italy.
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Calandrelli R, Marco P, Tran HE, Colosimo C, Pilato F. A Novel Radiological Score System to Assess the Clinical Severity in Patients with Acute Cerebellitis. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:173-182. [PMID: 35137363 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To develop a radiological score system to assess the severity of acute cerebellitis (AC) and to compare radiological severity score at the onset to cerebellar atrophy at follow-up. Clinical and MRI findings were recorded in 16 patients with AC. Radiological severity score considering topographic patterns, gray/white matter involvement, enhancement, tonsillar herniation or hydrocephalus development and clinical severity score taking into account clinical symptoms were assessed for each patient at the onset of the symptoms. Radiological and neurological sequelae were assessed at follow-up. At symptoms onset, clinical severity scale ranged from mild to severe and radiological severity score ranged from 3 to 7 with higher scores indicating a greater severity. The cut-off value of 5 for radiological score well segregated severe patients defined by clinical scale. A significant correlation between clinical scale and radiological severity scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.75) was found. At follow-up visit, all children developed cerebellar atrophy and 5 children showed neurologic sequelae while adults showed complete resolution without atrophy. Patients in whom atrophy was not observed had both older ages (p < 0.001) and a focal cerebellar involvement (p = 0.03). In patients with AC, radiological severity score may be a useful tool in evaluating clinical severity, but it is not capable to predict neither neurological sequelae nor evolution towards atrophy. Cerebellar atrophy, observed in children with AC, may be caused by several factors such as the age of patient and the extension of cerebellar involvement and it may be counterbalanced by neuronal restoring processes due to neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda Calandrelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Radiologia e Neuroradiologia, Polo Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia, Oncologia ed Ematologia, Area Diagnostica per Immagini, Rome, Italy
| | - Panfili Marco
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Radiologia e Neuroradiologia, Polo Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia, Oncologia ed Ematologia, Area Diagnostica per Immagini, Rome, Italy
| | - Huong Elena Tran
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cesare Colosimo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Radiologia e Neuroradiologia, Polo Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia, Oncologia ed Ematologia, Area Diagnostica per Immagini, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Radiologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilato
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University, 00128, Rome, Italy.
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Duna CC, Ana FR, Jorgina V, Ignacio DÁ, Alfons M, Érika A. Headache and Vomiting in an 8-Year-Old Girl. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2022; 61:808-812. [PMID: 35766460 DOI: 10.1177/00099228221106429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Casadesús-Cabral Duna
- Pediatric Hospitalization Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felipe-Rucián Ana
- Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vila Jorgina
- Pediatric Hospitalization Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Macaya Alfons
- Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnó Érika
- Pediatric Hospitalization Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Pöyhönen HM, Nyman MJ, Peltola VT, Löyttyniemi ES, Lähdesmäki TT. Neuroimaging and neurological outcome of children with acute encephalitis. Dev Med Child Neurol 2022; 64:1262-1269. [PMID: 35527347 PMCID: PMC9545686 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the severity of acute phase magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and severity of acute illness as risk factors for disability after recovery from encephalitis. METHOD Children with encephalitis (n = 98; median age 6 years 10 months, interquartile range 3 years-11 years 6 months; 59 males, 39 females) treated in Turku University Hospital during the years 1995 to 2016 were identified in this retrospective cohort study. The acute phase (<2 months of symptom onset) brain MRIs were re-evaluated and classified based on the severity of neuroimaging finding by a neuroradiologist. Neurological outcome at discharge, at short-term (<3 months from discharge) follow-up, and at long-term (>1 year from discharge) follow-up was assessed from medical records using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS Long-term recovery was poor in 24 of 82 (29%) children with follow-up data. Two children died, eight had severe disability, and 14 had moderate disability. Acute phase MRI was available for re-evaluation from 74 of 82 patients with follow-up data. The increasing severity of MRI findings was associated with need for ventilator therapy and with poor recovery. INTERPRETATION The risk for poor recovery in paediatric encephalitis is high, and it is associated with the severity of MRI findings. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Poor long-term recovery was found in 29% of children with encephalitis. Severe disability measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale was found in 8%. The most severe neuroimaging findings were a risk factor for severe acute illness and poor long-term recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M. Pöyhönen
- Department of Paediatric NeurologyTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland,Departments of Paediatrics and Paediatric NeurologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Mikko J. Nyman
- Department of RadiologyTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland
| | - Ville T. Peltola
- Departments of Paediatrics and Paediatric NeurologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent MedicineTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland
| | | | - Tuire T. Lähdesmäki
- Department of Paediatric NeurologyTurku University HospitalTurkuFinland,Departments of Paediatrics and Paediatric NeurologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
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Stezin A, Pal PK. Treatable Ataxias: How to Find the Needle in the Haystack? J Mov Disord 2022; 15:206-226. [PMID: 36065614 DOI: 10.14802/jmd.22069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatable ataxias are a group of ataxic disorders with specific treatments. These disorders include genetic and metabolic disorders, immune-mediated ataxic disorders, and ataxic disorders associated with infectious and parainfectious etiology, vascular causes, toxins and chemicals, and endocrinopathies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of different treatable ataxias. The major metabolic and genetic treatable ataxic disorders include ataxia with vitamin E deficiency, abetalipoproteinemia, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, Niemann-Pick disease type C, autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia due to coenzyme Q10 deficiency, glucose transporter type 1 deficiency, and episodic ataxia type 2. The treatment of these disorders includes the replacement of deficient cofactors and vitamins, dietary modifications, and other specific treatments. Treatable ataxias with immune-mediated etiologies include gluten ataxia, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-associated ataxia, steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, Miller-Fisher syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Although dietary modification with a gluten-free diet is adequate in gluten ataxia, other autoimmune ataxias are managed by short-course steroids, plasma exchange, or immunomodulation. For autoimmune ataxias secondary to malignancy, treatment of tumor can reduce ataxic symptoms. Chronic alcohol consumption, antiepileptics, anticancer drugs, exposure to insecticides, heavy metals, and recreational drugs are potentially avoidable and treatable causes of ataxia. Infective and parainfectious causes of cerebellar ataxias include acute cerebellitis, postinfectious ataxia, Whipple's disease, meningoencephalitis, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. These disorders are treated with steroids and antibiotics. Recognizing treatable disorders is of paramount importance when dealing with ataxias given that early treatment can prevent permanent neurological sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Stezin
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Pal
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
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9
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Chow EKH, Rabin BM, Ruge J. Postinfectious coronavirus disease 2019 hemorrhagic cerebellitis: illustrative case. JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY: CASE LESSONS 2022; 4:CASE22219. [PMID: 36083772 PMCID: PMC9451054 DOI: 10.3171/case22219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Conditions that can mimic posterior fossa tumors are rare. Their identification is crucial to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention, especially when prompt initiation of medical therapy is critical.
OBSERVATIONS
The authors presented a case of pseudotumoral hemorrhagic cerebellitis in a 3-year-old boy who presented initially with headache, persistent vomiting, and decreased level of consciousness 9 weeks after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a left cerebellar hemorrhagic mass–like lesion with edema and mild hydrocephalus. The patient responded to high-dose steroids and was discharged 2 weeks later with complete recovery.
LESSONS
When evaluating patients with possible tumor syndromes, it is important to also consider rarer inflammatory syndromes that can masquerade as neoplasms. Postinfectious hemorrhagic cerebellitis is one such syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric K. H. Chow
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | | | - John Ruge
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
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10
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Mallikarjun KS, Parsons MS, Nigogosyan Z, Goyal MS, Eldaya RW. Neuroimaging Findings in CHANTER Syndrome: A Case Series. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2022; 43:1136-1141. [PMID: 35798385 PMCID: PMC9575414 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a distinct clinicoradiologic entity involving cerebellar, hippocampal, and basal nuclei transient edema with restricted diffusion (CHANTER) on MR imaging was identified. Patients present in an unresponsive state following exposure to drugs of abuse. Very little information exists regarding this entity, particularly in the radiology literature. We identify and describe 3 patients at our institution with similar clinical and radiographic findings. Multifocal restricted diffusion in the brain is typically associated with poor outcomes. By contrast, CHANTER involves intraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus that, when treated, can lead to substantial recovery. This novel syndrome should be on the differential in patients who present in an unresponsive state after recent opioid use in the context of the above imaging findings. Additional diagnoses on the differential can include ischemic stroke, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, "chasing the dragon," leukoencephalopathy, opioid-associated amnestic syndrome, and pediatric opioid-use-associated neurotoxicity with cerebellar edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Mallikarjun
- From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (K.S.M., M.S.P., Z.N., M.S.G., R.W.E.), Washington University School of Medicine, Ringgold Standard Institution, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - M S Parsons
- From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (K.S.M., M.S.P., Z.N., M.S.G., R.W.E.), Washington University School of Medicine, Ringgold Standard Institution, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Z Nigogosyan
- From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (K.S.M., M.S.P., Z.N., M.S.G., R.W.E.), Washington University School of Medicine, Ringgold Standard Institution, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - M S Goyal
- From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (K.S.M., M.S.P., Z.N., M.S.G., R.W.E.), Washington University School of Medicine, Ringgold Standard Institution, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - R W Eldaya
- From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (K.S.M., M.S.P., Z.N., M.S.G., R.W.E.), Washington University School of Medicine, Ringgold Standard Institution, St. Louis, Missouri.,MD Anderson Cancer Center, Diagnostic Imaging Division (R.W.E.), Houston, Texas
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11
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Ghosh R, Mandal A, León-Ruiz M, Roy D, Das S, Dubey S, Benito-León J. Rare neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations of scrub typhus: a case series of 10 cases. Neurologia 2022:S2173-5808(22)00081-5. [PMID: 35907627 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scrub typhus is a potentially life-threatening but curable disease that can produce multi-organ failure. Neurological manifestations in scrub typhus have gained attention recently, where the entire neural axis except the myoneural junction can be involved. Although the pathogenesis of neurological involvement has not been established, immune-mediated mechanisms are suspected. This article reports the clinicopathological features of scrub typhus cases presenting several rare neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations. METHODS Three hundred fifty-four serologically confirmed scrub typhus cases were admitted to the Department of General Medicine of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital (West Bengal, India) between May 2018 and May 2022. There were 50 patients who had predominantly neurological manifestations. Of these 50 cases, ten patients presented with extremely rare neurological manifestations. RESULTS We report 10 cases of scrub typhus (four men and six women) who presented with complex neurological pictures (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, Opalski syndrome, parkinsonism, cerebellitis, isolated opsoclonus, acute transverse myelitis, myositis, polyradiculoneuropathy with cranial neuropathy, acute transient behavioral changes, and fibromyalgia). Immune-mediated mechanisms might have mediated the pathogenesis of most cases following scrub typhus infection. CONCLUSION From a clinicopathological point of view, each case was unique in its presentation and treatment response. In any acute onset neurological disorders associated with febrile illness in the tropics or subtropics, scrub typhus infection should be included in the differential diagnosis, despite the absence of eschar and unremarkable neuroimaging findings. This otherwise curable disease may result in multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and death if the diagnosis is delayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Ghosh
- Department of General Medicine, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Arpan Mandal
- Department of General Medicine, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Moisés León-Ruiz
- Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital "La Paz", Madrid, Spain
| | - Dipayan Roy
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, Tamil Nadu, India; School of Humanities, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
| | - Shambaditya Das
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research & SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Souvik Dubey
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research & SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Julián Benito-León
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Serrallach BL, Orman G, Boltshauser E, Hackenberg A, Desai NK, Kralik SF, Huisman TAGM. Neuroimaging in cerebellar ataxia in childhood: A review. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:825-851. [PMID: 35749078 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxia is one of the most common pediatric movement disorders and can be caused by a large number of congenital and acquired diseases affecting the cerebellum or the vestibular or sensory system. It is mainly characterized by gait abnormalities, dysmetria, intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. In young children, ataxia may manifest as the inability or refusal to walk. The diagnostic approach begins with a careful clinical history including the temporal evolution of ataxia and the inquiry of additional symptoms, is followed by a meticulous physical examination, and, depending on the results, is complemented by laboratory assays, electroencephalography, nerve conduction velocity, lumbar puncture, toxicology screening, genetic testing, and neuroimaging. Neuroimaging plays a pivotal role in either providing the final diagnosis, narrowing the differential diagnosis, or planning targeted further workup. In this review, we will focus on the most common form of ataxia in childhood, cerebellar ataxia (CA). We will discuss and summarize the neuroimaging findings of either the most common or the most important causes of CA in childhood or present causes of pediatric CA with pathognomonic findings on MRI. The various pediatric CAs will be categorized and presented according to (a) the cause of ataxia (acquired/disruptive vs. inherited/genetic) and (b) the temporal evolution of symptoms (acute/subacute, chronic, progressive, nonprogressive, and recurrent). In addition, several illustrative cases with their key imaging findings will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina L Serrallach
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gunes Orman
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eugen Boltshauser
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annette Hackenberg
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nilesh K Desai
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen F Kralik
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thierry A G M Huisman
- Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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Gunaratna GPS, Mohammad SS, Blyth CC, Clark J, Crawford N, Marshall H, Dale RC, Jones CA, Britton PN. Postinfectious Acute Cerebellar Syndromes in Children: A Nationally Ascertained Case Series From Australia 2013-2018. J Child Neurol 2022; 37:8830738221093209. [PMID: 35546546 DOI: 10.1177/08830738221093209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Postinfectious acute cerebellar syndromes show a wide spectrum of acute severity and can occur with acute febrile illness or vaccine receipt. Varicella has historically been the most common cause, associated with up to 25% of cases in large cohorts. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of syndromes in a setting with high varicella vaccine coverage. METHOD Data were collected on children initially identified as "suspected encephalitis" subsequently designated "not-encephalitis" at participating children's hospitals in the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network, Australia, as part of the Acute Childhood Encephalitis study. A comprehensive descriptive analysis was undertaken on prospectively identified, national series of children with postinfectious acute cerebellar syndromes from 2013 to 2018. Cases were classified using a previously validated severity score, and the outcome was assessed at 12 months using the Liverpool Outcome Scale score. RESULTS A total of 20 cases (65% were vaccinated for varicella) were included, of which 70% were subcategorized as acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA), 20% acute cerebellitis (AC), and 10% acute fulminant cerebellitis (AFC). An acute febrile illness was noted in 55% and none were related to varicella or were temporally related to varicella vaccination or other childhood vaccines. A subset (total of 7 children) followed up at 12 months all showed reduced Liverpool Outcome Scale scores. DISCUSSION The study provides an overall description of this uncommon spectrum of neurologic syndromes and shows the infrequency of varicella zoster virus as a cause in a vaccinated population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayana P S Gunaratna
- Department of Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Shekeeb S Mohammad
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Christopher C Blyth
- Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute and School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine Western Australia and Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Julia Clark
- Children's Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nigel Crawford
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Marshall
- Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Russell C Dale
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Cheryl A Jones
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Philip N Britton
- Department of Infectious Diseases & Microbiology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and health, University of Sydney, Australia
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Orman G, Kralik SF, Desai NK, Meoded A, Sangi-Haghpeykar H, Jallo G, Boltshauser E, Huisman TAGM. Can MRI Differentiate between Infectious and Immune-Related Acute Cerebellitis? A Retrospective Imaging Study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:2231-2237. [PMID: 34593381 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acute cerebellitis is an acute neurologic condition attributable to a recent or concurrent infection or a recent vaccination or ingestion of medication, with MR imaging evidence of cerebellar edema. MR imaging can confirm an anatomic abnormality and may allow the radiologist to establish a differential diagnosis. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the MR imaging findings in children with acute cerebellitis due to infectious versus immune-related conditions, in particular whether MR imaging findings allow differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic medical records were reviewed between 2003 and 2020 in our quaternary children's hospital. Data included demographics and clinical records: presentation/symptoms, final diagnosis including acute cerebellitis and immune-related acute cerebellitis, length of stay, treatment, condition at discharge, and laboratory findings. Retrospective independent review of all brain MR imaging studies was performed. RESULTS Forty-three patients (male/female ratio, 28:15) were included in this study. Average age at presentation was 7.08 years (range, 0.05-17.52 years). Thirty-five children had infectious and 8 children had immune-related acute cerebellitis. Significant differences in neuroimaging were the following: 1) T2-FLAIR hyperintense signal in the brainstem (37.50% versus 2.85%, P = .016); 2) T2-FLAIR hyperintense signal in the supratentorial brain higher in the immune-related group (37.50% versus 0.00%, P = .004); and 3) downward herniation, higher in the infectious acute cerebellitis group (42.85% versus 0.00%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Acute cerebellitis is a rare condition, and MR imaging is helpful in the differential diagnosis. T2-FLAIR hyperintense signal in the brainstem and supratentorial brain may be indicative of immune-related acute cerebellitis, and downward herniation may be indicative of infectious acute cerebellitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Orman
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - S F Kralik
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - N K Desai
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - A Meoded
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - H Sangi-Haghpeykar
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (H.S.-H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - G Jallo
- Institute for Brain Protection Sciences and Department of Neurosurgery (G.J.), Johns Hopkins All Children's, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - E Boltshauser
- Department of Pediatric Neurology (E.B.), University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - T A G M Huisman
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., H.S.-H., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
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A case series of two post-infectious acute cerebellitis an insidious path to the diagnosis and therapy. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:4843-4846. [PMID: 34515890 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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16
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Expanding the Spectrum of Acute Cerebellitis due to SARS-Cov-2. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 121:1-2. [PMID: 34111618 PMCID: PMC8120793 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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17
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Moreno-Escobar MC, Feizi P, Podury S, Tandon M, Munir B, Alvi M, Adcock A, Sriwastava S. Acute cerebellitis following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report and review of the literature. J Med Virol 2021; 93:6818-6821. [PMID: 34314031 PMCID: PMC8427025 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) first described in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has rapidly spread across the world and become a global public health emergency. Literature on the neurological manifestations of COVID‐19 is limited. We report a 24‐year‐old male, who presented with vertigo, dysarthria, and bradyphrenia 3 weeks after being diagnosed with COVID‐19 on nasopharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The patient was diagnosed with acute cerebellitis based on magnetic resonance imaging features and showed improvement posttreatment with intravenous methylprednisone for 5 days. The scope of this article is to highlight the importance of early identification of neurological symptoms and timely management as the outcomes may be catastrophic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Moreno-Escobar
- Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Parissa Feizi
- Department of Neuroradiology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | | | - Medha Tandon
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Badria Munir
- Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Muhammad Alvi
- Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Amelia Adcock
- Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Shitiz Sriwastava
- Department of Neurology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
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Lee JY, Moon JU, Yoon DH, Han JY, Lee IG. Clinical Characteristics and Effects of Steroid Therapy in Children with Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. ANNALS OF CHILD NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.26815/acn.2021.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Hirota Y, Minamikawa S, Ishida Y, Maruyama A, Nakagishi Y. A Case of Influenza Virus-Induced Acute Cerebellitis Treated with Steroid Pulse Therapy. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAcute cerebellitis (AC) is characterized by acute onset cerebellar ataxia brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities of the cerebellum. The most common cause of AC is viral infection, and some patients with AC experience neurological sequelae. AC associated with influenza virus is extremely rare, and its prognosis and treatment are unknown. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy with influenza virus-induced AC who was treated with pulse steroid therapy. The patient presented with fever, anorexia, vomiting, malaise, altered consciousness, truncal ataxia, dysmetria, and dysarthria. He was diagnosed with influenza using a nasopharyngeal antigen test. Brain MRI showed hyperintense T2 and diffusion-weighted signal abnormalities in the cerebellar white matter and dentate nuclei bilaterally. The patient was treated with two courses of pulse methylprednisolone therapy and recovered completely in 2 months after the onset. The prognosis of AC is poorer than that of acute cerebellar ataxia, which shows similar symptoms to AC with normal brain MRI. The type of virus might also be associated with the prognosis of AC. Literature review showed that one of the five cases (including the present case, 20%) reported with influenza-associated AC was noted to have neurological sequelae, which might be more severe than those of varicella-zoster-related AC. Given that the pathogenesis of AC is assumed to be immune-mediated, pulse methylprednisolone therapy might be a good option for the treatment of influenza virus-induced AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiho Hirota
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shogo Minamikawa
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ishida
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Azusa Maruyama
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuo Nakagishi
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
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Goethe EA, LoPresti M, Bertot B, Lam S. Cerebellitis as a neurosurgical disease in pediatrics. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 85:57-63. [PMID: 33581790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The diagnostic evaluation and role of neurosurgery in the treatment of cerebellitis is unclear. We explore the diagnostic evaluation and subsequent role of neurosurgical intervention in pediatric cerebellitis in a case series, highlighting the diagnostic work up and treatments applied. A retrospective review was conducted of all pediatricpatients diagnosed with cerebellitis for whom neurosurgery was consulted at a single center from June 2008 to February 2019. Nine patients, four males (44.4%) and five females (55.6%) were identified. Common presenting symptoms were headache (n = 6, 66.7%), emesis (n = 5, 55.6%), and altered mental status (n = 4, 44.4%). Six (66.7%) had associated infections. Imaging abnormalities included tonsillar ectopia (n = 8, 88.9%), bilateral cerebellar T2 hyperintensity (n = 6, 66.7%), and obstructive hydrocephalus (n = 6, 66.7%). Management included antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, mannitol, and hypertonic saline. Four (44.4%) required external ventricular drain (EVD) placement for a mean 11 days (SD 6.8, range 4-20) for hydrocephalus; none required additional neurosurgical interventions. Seven patients (77.8%) required ICU care for a mean 11.7 days (SD 14.0 range 1-42). At follow-up (mean 20.8 months, SD 28.7, range 0.6-64.9), two patients (n = 2, 22.2%) recovered completely, and six (66.7%) were functionally dependent (mRS > 2); the most common residual deficit was cognitive impairment (n = 5, 55.6%). Neurosurgical consultation should be considered in pediatric patients with cerebellitis. In our experience, temporary CSF diversion via an EVD is employed nearly half of the time. The presence of hydrocephalus requiring neurosurgical intervention may be a predictor of severe disease and poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Goethe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Melissa LoPresti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Brandon Bertot
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sandi Lam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, United States.
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Povlow A, Auerbach AJ. Acute Cerebellar Ataxia in COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report. J Emerg Med 2020; 60:73-76. [PMID: 33208227 PMCID: PMC7546194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely reported to cause symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Neurologic complications have not been widely reported without associated respiratory symptoms. These neurologic manifestations have been found mostly in the elderly. There has been no report of ataxia or COVID-19 cerebellitis in the young adult population without associated respiratory symptoms. Case Report Here we report the case of a 30-year-old patient who presented with isolated cerebellar symptoms and was diagnosed with COVID-19 cerebellitis. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? It is important for emergency physicians to know that COVID-19 can have many clinical manifestations and to have a high level of suspicion with acute neurologic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Povlow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UT Health-San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Andrew J Auerbach
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UT Health-San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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