Cerebellar disorders

Question 1

What is the epidemiology of cerebellar disorders?

Answer 1

…

Question 2

What is the aetiology of cerebellar disorders?

Answer 2

Inherited conditions e.g. Friedreich’s ataxia is the most common type of hereditary ataxia (1/50,000)

Idiopathic/sporadic (25%)

Alcohol related

Paraneoplastic

Injury

Cerebrovascular

Question 3

How do cerebellar disorders present?

Answer 3

Slurring of speech, Dysarthria Swallowing difficulties
Arm and leg clumsiness
Action tremor
Loss of precision in fine motor movements Unsteadiness when walking alone/in dark; stumbles and falls
Cognitive problems Nystagmus
Truncal, limb and gait ataxia Dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid alternating movements

Question 4

How do you investigate cerebellar disease?

Answer 4

Clinical picture:
Deficit is on the side of the cerebellar lesion

MRI of head:
Cerebrovascular damage? Primary/secondary tumours? Hydrocephalus? MS?

Question 5

How do you mange cerebellar disease?

Answer 5

Deal with the cause

OT/social care