acyclovir and Cerebellar-Diseases

Acute cerebellitis is a well recognized complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in children. It has been described in adults in the setting of virus reactivation with a preceding herpes zoster rash, but it is exceedingly rare in adults who are not elderly or immunocompromised, particularly in the absence of a rash. To our knowledge, there has been only one reported case of acute cerebellitis in an immunocompetent adult less than age 65 with virological confirmation of acute VZV infection. We describe a 59-year-old immunocompetent man who presented with acute truncal ataxia without rash and was diagnosed with VZV cerebellitis, supported by anti-VZV IgM and anti-VZV IgG antibodies in the serum and a positive VZV polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid. He had robust improvement with intravenous acyclovir treatment and was free of neurologic disability at two month follow-up. This case highlights the importance of virological evaluation in patients with acute ataxia, even in the absence of typical features of infection.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Ataxia; Cerebellar Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Varicella Zoster Virus Infection

Acute hemicerebellitis, marked by headache with or without cerebellar signs, is a rare clinical entity involving a unilateral cerebellar hemisphere. The pathogenesis of acute hemicerebellitis remains unclear, and the disease rarely occurs in adults. Here, we report an 18-year-old woman who presented with a lack of coordination of the right hand and leg lasting longer than one week, following a pulsatile headache. A neurological examination disclosed ocular dysmetria, right-sided limb ataxia and slight truncal ataxia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mononuclear pleocytosis. The serology and autoimmune studies were unremarkable. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a focal signal change in the right cerebellar hemisphere and vermis. Acute hemicerebellitis was diagnosed, and the patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate and acyclovir. Subsequently, the headache resolved, and the cerebellar signs were markedly improved. Twenty days after admission, she became asymptomatic and brain MRI showed resolution of cerebellar hyperintensity on the right side. In conclusion, we identified only 6 additional patients with adult-onset acute hemicerebellitis from previous reports, highlighting the importance of recognizing this rare clinical entity. Its clinical outcome is usually favorable, but in the acute phase, attention should be directed toward clinical symptoms that are suggestive of increased intracranial pressure.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Antiviral Agents; Cerebellar Diseases; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Glucocorticoids; Headache; Humans; Intracranial Hypertension; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate; Treatment Outcome

Cerebellitis is an uncommon complication of infectious mononucleosis. We describe such a patient with infectious mononucleosis and cerebellitis as a major feature of a more global encephalitis. In the discussion the cerebral complications are reviewed.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Cerebellar Diseases; Cerebellum; Disease-Free Survival; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Humans; Infectious Mononucleosis

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Antiviral Agents; Cerebellar Ataxia; Cerebellar Diseases; Child; Consciousness Disorders; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; Drainage; Encephalitis, Viral; Headache; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Male; Nasopharynx; Neuroimaging; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND Acute cerebellitis in adults is a rare disease. The etiology is unknown but postulated to be due to primary infection or para-infection. Different presentations have been reported, which complicates the diagnosis process. CASE REPORT We report the case of a young man who presented with headache, vomiting, and vertigo. He was found to have ataxia and cerebellar signs, bradycardia magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed acute cerebellitis, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies showed lymphocytosis. Further investigations showed the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG. His symptoms resolved completely with corticosteroid and antiviral treatments. CONCLUSIONS Acute cerebellitis can present in various ways. Bradycardia, along with neurological deficits, should raise the suspicion of acute cerebellitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Ataxia; Bradycardia; Ceftriaxone; Cerebellar Diseases; Dexamethasone; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lymphocytosis; Male; Young Adult

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Cerebellar Diseases; Child; Encephalitis; Gait Ataxia; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male