Computed tomography of olivopontocerebellar degeneration

Computed tomographic (CT) studies of 17 cases of olivopontocerebellar degeneration are reported. In all cases, atrophy of brainstem and cerebellum was found. Atrophy of the cerebellar hemispheres was equal to, or more marked than, atrophy of the vermis. Dilatation of lateral ventricles and cerebral sulci was often present. These findings, which are in agreement with the pathologic data, are compared with those reported in other cerebellar atrophic processes. Knowledge of the distribution of the atrophic changes is essential in attempting a differential diagnosis among the degenerative diseases involving the posterior fossa nervous structures.