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[Acute cerebellar ataxia in a 5-year-old boy. Clinical warnings]
M Mrozińska1, A Horwath, W Ostoja-Chrzastowski
1Kliniki Gastroenterologii i Zywienia Dzieci Akademii Medycznej w Warszawie.
Insights
A young boy experienced acute cerebellar ataxia due to ECHO virus infection. Diagnosis involved clinical evaluation and detecting the virus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Neurology
Background:
- ECHO virus infections can present with diverse neurological manifestations.
- Acute cerebellar ataxia is a rare but serious neurological condition in children.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old boy presented with symptoms including headache, dizziness, weakness, somnolence, dysarthria, and unsteady gait.
- Neurological examination revealed impaired coordination, Rombergism, and generalized hypotonia.
- Toxicological tests ruled out poisoning, despite parental suspicion of an ingested pill.
Findings:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis confirmed the presence of ECHO virus.
- The clinical presentation and virological findings established the diagnosis of acute cerebellar ataxia caused by ECHO virus.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering viral etiologies, specifically ECHO virus, in pediatric acute cerebellar ataxia.
- Early diagnosis and identification of the causative agent are crucial for appropriate patient management and understanding disease pathogenesis.
Abstract:
A case of acute cerebellar ataxia caused by ECHO virus 30.5-year-old boy admitted to the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Warsaw, in September, 1996, complaining of headache, dizziness, weakness, somnolence, dysarthria and an unsteady walk. On neurological examination he had imparied coordination, rombergism, generalized hypotonia. There was no history of exposure to contagious diseases, ear discharge, convulsions, trauma. Parents suggested that the child could have swallowed an unidentified pill--toxicological tests ruled out poisoning. The diagnosis is based on the clinical examination and amplification ECHO virus from CSF.