Cerebellar atrophy demonstrated by computed tomography

Abstract

We studied 55 cases of cerebellar atrophy identified by computerized tomography. Atrophy was determined by subjective assessment and objective measurements (superior cerebellar cistern, fourth ventricle, and brainstem). Different patterns of cerebellar atrophy were related to clinical diagnoses. A high incidence of vermal atrophy was observed in primary cerebellar degeneration and chronic alcoholism. More than half the patients with alcoholism had hemispheral atrophy. Vermal atrophy and enlargement of superior cerebellar cisterns (but not hemispheral atrophy) were associated with carcinomatous cerebellar degeneration. Atrophy caused by chronic phenytoin usage showed a specific pattern of enlargement of the cisterna magna, cerebellopontine angle, and superior cerebellar cisterns. Supratentorial atrophy was increased significantly only in the alcoholics. In general, limb ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus were related to hemispheral but not to vermal atrophy.

Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies: CT and MRI Findings and Correlations with Clinical Features

“…The CT scans were obtained with a GE model 9800 scan ner. The interpretation of CT findings was based on the criteria of Koller et al [30]. The magnetic resonance scans were obtained in 1992 by a Signa imager with 1.5-tesla high-field strength.…”

Cognitive Behavior in Heredodegenerative Ataxias

“…Those showing central (i.e., ventricular dilata tion) and cortical (i.e.. dilatation of cortical sulci) atrophies according to previously defined radiological criteria [ 12] were excluded, so that only patients with well-delimited cerebellar damage were accepted. Radiological evaluation of the cerebellum [13] qualified as 'mild' atrophy those cases where the primary fissure was deep and dearly visible along with a few thin cerebellar folia and prominent basal cisterns. The term 'severe' atrophy was used to characterize those cases showing smallness of the cerebellar hemisphere not filling the room of the posterior fossa, multiple clearly visible cerebellar folia with an enlarged 4th ventricle and a small brainstem, all presenting a 'maple leaf appearance.…”

Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Seizure-Induced Supratentorial Neuron Loss

“…28], Autopsy and CT studies show that the brain volumes of normal persons decrease with advancing age [7][8][9][10][11]15], Whether seizures accelerate this process has not been studied extensively. CT evidence of cerebellar atrophy in epileptic patients has been reported by several workers [21][22][23], but questioned by others [20]. Dam [4] demon strated a reduced density of Purkinje cells in the cerebel lum of epilepsy patients which was attributable to the sei zures rather than to the antiepileptic treatment.…”

“…Roller et al [21] investigated a group of 55 nonepilep tic patients who had cerebellar atrophy, proven by CT. Supratentorial atrophy in those patients was only seen in alcoholics. We found two CT studies which considered supratentorial atrophy in epilepsy patients: Cala and Mastaglia [29] reported '... premature cerebral atrophy, usually in patients with a long history of poorly controlled seizures...', but did not report CT measurements or infor mation on the distribution by age and duration of epi lepsy of the atrophy frequency.…”