Although there is no relevant literature distinguishing between CTA of head and neck versus CTA of either the head or neck alone in these rare vascular causes of acute childhood ataxia, CTA of the head and neck may be more beneficial than either CTA head or CTA neck alone because the site of vascular abnormality may be in either the head or the neck or both locations. Ataxia-Child CTA Head CTA of the head in conjunction with CTA of the neck may be helpful in children with ataxia due to a posterior circulation stroke, hemorrhage, or a vascular malformation. However, this investigation may need to be decided based on the clinical presentation and concern for acute cerebellar infarct [7]. Stroke or vascular malformations are the etiology in only 1% to 3% of acute childhood ataxia [20,26]. CTA Neck CTA of the neck, in conjunction with CTA of the head, may be helpful in children with ataxia due to a posterior circulation stroke, hemorrhage, or a vascular malformation. However, this investigation may need to be decided based on the clinical presentation and concern for acute cerebellar infarct [7]. Stroke or vascular malformations are the etiology in only 1% to 3% of acute childhood ataxia [20,26]. CTV Head There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT venography (CTV) head in the initial evaluation of a child with acute ataxia and no history of recent trauma. MRI Head In a study of 104 children imaged for acute or subacute ataxia, MRI abnormalities were identified in 64% of the cases [20]. However, clinically significant intracranial abnormalities on MRI have been reported in 14% of children presenting with acute or subacute ataxia [18,20]. MRI is more sensitive than CT in the evaluation of intracranial pathology in acute ataxia in children [20]. In a study by Luetje at al [20], abnormalities were identified on MRI but not on CT in 8 children.
Ataxia Child. Although there is no relevant literature distinguishing between CTA of head and neck versus CTA of either the head or neck alone in these rare vascular causes of acute childhood ataxia, CTA of the head and neck may be more beneficial than either CTA head or CTA neck alone because the site of vascular abnormality may be in either the head or the neck or both locations. Ataxia-Child CTA Head CTA of the head in conjunction with CTA of the neck may be helpful in children with ataxia due to a posterior circulation stroke, hemorrhage, or a vascular malformation. However, this investigation may need to be decided based on the clinical presentation and concern for acute cerebellar infarct [7]. Stroke or vascular malformations are the etiology in only 1% to 3% of acute childhood ataxia [20,26]. CTA Neck CTA of the neck, in conjunction with CTA of the head, may be helpful in children with ataxia due to a posterior circulation stroke, hemorrhage, or a vascular malformation. However, this investigation may need to be decided based on the clinical presentation and concern for acute cerebellar infarct [7]. Stroke or vascular malformations are the etiology in only 1% to 3% of acute childhood ataxia [20,26]. CTV Head There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT venography (CTV) head in the initial evaluation of a child with acute ataxia and no history of recent trauma. MRI Head In a study of 104 children imaged for acute or subacute ataxia, MRI abnormalities were identified in 64% of the cases [20]. However, clinically significant intracranial abnormalities on MRI have been reported in 14% of children presenting with acute or subacute ataxia [18,20]. MRI is more sensitive than CT in the evaluation of intracranial pathology in acute ataxia in children [20]. In a study by Luetje at al [20], abnormalities were identified on MRI but not on CT in 8 children.