Cerebellar syndrome

Question 1

Where do cerebellar lesions cause symptoms?

Answer 1

On the ipsilateral side of the lesion

Question 2

What are the causes of cerebellar dysfunction?

Answer 2

VITAMIN C
V - vascular
I - infectious, inflammatory
T - trauma
A - alcoholism
M - metabolic
I - iatrogenic
N - neoplastic
C - congenital

Question 3

What is a congenital cause of cerebellar dysfunction?

Answer 3

Fredreich’s ataxia

Question 4

What is Friedreich’s ataxia?

Answer 4

A genetic neurodegenerative disorder that presents during early adolescence, it causes:
- Progressive difficulty walking
- Frequent falls
- Unsteady posture

Question 5

What types of drugs can cause cerebellar ataxia?

Answer 5

Phenytoin
Carbamezapine

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebellar disease?

Answer 6

Dysdiadochokinesia
Ataxia
Nystagmus
Intention tremor
Slurred speech
Hypotonia

Question 7

What investigations may be helpful in the diagnosis of cerebellar syndrome?

Answer 7

CT/MRI to identify structural abnormalities
Lumbar puncture
Genetic testing
Serological tests