[Acute cerebellar encephalitis in adulthood]

Two cases of rare adult cerebellar encephalitis are reported presenting the distinguishing features of acute onset of cerebellar ataxia, distinct ocular oscillations (opsoclonus, ocular flutter, macro square wave jerks) and generalized myoclonic jerks. The EOG-analysis of the cerebellar oculomotor disorder is emphasized. The course is usually benign ("benign encephalitis") differing from the childhood form only in age of onset. Fatal courses are rare and the histopathologic findings in one case suggest mild encephalitis with diffuse perivascular lesions accentuated in the cerebellum, thus not allowing clear clinicotopodiagnostic correlations.