Cerebellar syndrome Flashcards
Cerebellar gait examination
Walk Heel-to-toe On tip toe On heal Romberg's
Cerebellar examination with arms outstretched
Ataxia
Rebound
Cerebellar signs
DANISH Dysdiadochokinesia (hands and feet) Ataxia Nystagmus + rapid saccades that overshoot Intention tremor + dysmetria Slurred speech Hypotonia
Completion of cerebellar exam
Cranial nerves: brainstem stroke, MS, CPA lesion
Peripheral nervous system: MS
Signs of CLD
Drug chart: phenytoin (toxicity causes cerebellar damage)
Causes of cerebellar syndrome
DAISIES Demyelination Alcohol Infarct (brainstem) SOL e.g. schwannoma + other CPA tumours Inherited e.g. Wilson's, Friedrich's, Ataxia Telangiectasia, VHL Epilepsy medications: Phenytoin System atrophy, multiple
Lateralisation of cerebellar signs
Ipsilateral to lesion
Bilateral cerebellar signs more likely to represent a global pathology e.g. alcohol, MS, phenytoin
Presentation of cerebellar vermis lesion
Ataxic trunk and gait
Normal arms
Differentiating cerebellar and vestibular nystagmus
Vestibular cause: fast phase away from lesion, maximal looking away from lesion
Cerebellar cause: opposite
Specific history for cerebellar syndrome
MS: Paraesthesia, visual problems, muscle weakness
Alcohol consumption
Infarct: onset, stroke risk factors
Schwannoma: hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, raised ICP
FHx
DHx
Investigations for cerebellar syndrome
ECG: arrhythmia (DDx brainstem stroke)
Bloods: EtOH (FBC, U+E, LFTs), thrombophilia (clotting), Wilson’s (low caeruloplasmin)
CSF: oligoclonal bands
Imaging: MRI is best to visualise the posterior cranial fossa
Audiometry: CPA lesion (pure tone audiometry)
General management of cerebellar syndrome
MDT
CV risk
Lower EtOH intake
Concise treatment of MS
methylprednisolone
Concise treatment of EtOH dependence
Pabrinex, tapering course of chlordiazepoxide
Concise treatment of infarct (as cause of cerebellar syndrome)
Consider thrombolysis
Concise treatment of Wilson’s
Penicillamine