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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Cerebellar Regional Dissection for Molecular Analysis
08:51

Cerebellar Regional Dissection for Molecular Analysis

Published on: December 5, 2020

[Cerebellar atrophy following acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae cerebellitis]

F Rosés-Noguer1, M Raspall-Chaure, A Macaya-Ruiz

  • 1Servicio de Neurología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitari Materno-Infantil de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.

Revista De Neurologia
|April 21, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can cause acute cerebellitis, sometimes leading to cerebellar atrophy. Early MRI findings do not predict the final neurological outcome in these cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute cerebellitis is a rare complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
  • Previous reports suggest a benign, self-limited course for this association.

Observation:

  • Two patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced acute cerebellitis developed cerebellar atrophy.
  • Clinical presentation included cerebellar syndrome (ataxia, hypotonia, dysarthria, dysmetria) preceded by respiratory infection symptoms.
  • Initial MRI findings varied, with one showing normal imaging and the other displaying cerebellar swelling and ventriculomegaly.

Findings:

  • Both patients showed significant cerebellar atrophy on follow-up MRI.
  • One patient had an unfavorable clinical course with incomplete recovery, while the other remained asymptomatic.
  • Serological tests confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in both cases.

Implications:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considered in acute cerebellitis cases, especially with incomplete recovery or early cerebellar atrophy.
  • Initial neuroimaging findings may not correlate with long-term neurological outcomes.

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