Cerebellar ataxia includes a variety of clinical conditions characterized by neurodegeneration of the cerebellum and/or brainstem and may result from inherited or sporadic etiologies. The current classification system for the inherited cerebellar ataxias includes autosomal dominant spinocerebellar, autosomal recessive, congenital, mitochondrial, X-linked, and sporadic types. Autosomal ataxias have complex genetic heterogeneity and variable phenotypic expression, which makes diagnosis difficult [72]. Adult-onset sporadic ataxia encompasses a more heterogeneous group of etiologies, which includes toxic/nutritional, immune- mediated, infectious, degenerative, and reclassification as having a genetic basis [73]. Some patients with cerebellar ataxia may also have coexisting symptoms of central or peripheral vestibulopathy, which can further confound the clinic picture [74]. Imaging in cerebellar ataxia is aimed at primarily detecting parenchymal injury in the form of volume loss or alternations in attenuation (CT) or signal intensity (MRI). Patterns of parenchymal injury may suggest a certain ataxia subtype; however, there is a significant overlap of imaging features among various etiologies, and conventional neuroimaging may be unremarkable in early disease. As such, diagnosis relies on the combination of history, a thorough clinical neurologic examination, and imaging with confirmatory laboratory and/or genetic testing based on these findings [73]. In some forms of ataxia, detection of abnormal iron deposition or calcification may also be helpful [75,76]. Finally, imaging is also important to exclude nondegenerative central etiologies of ataxia such as mass lesion or infarct [77]. CT Head With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT head with IV contrast in the evaluation of cerebellar ataxia. CT Head Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT head without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of cerebellar ataxia.
Dizziness and Ataxia. Cerebellar ataxia includes a variety of clinical conditions characterized by neurodegeneration of the cerebellum and/or brainstem and may result from inherited or sporadic etiologies. The current classification system for the inherited cerebellar ataxias includes autosomal dominant spinocerebellar, autosomal recessive, congenital, mitochondrial, X-linked, and sporadic types. Autosomal ataxias have complex genetic heterogeneity and variable phenotypic expression, which makes diagnosis difficult [72]. Adult-onset sporadic ataxia encompasses a more heterogeneous group of etiologies, which includes toxic/nutritional, immune- mediated, infectious, degenerative, and reclassification as having a genetic basis [73]. Some patients with cerebellar ataxia may also have coexisting symptoms of central or peripheral vestibulopathy, which can further confound the clinic picture [74]. Imaging in cerebellar ataxia is aimed at primarily detecting parenchymal injury in the form of volume loss or alternations in attenuation (CT) or signal intensity (MRI). Patterns of parenchymal injury may suggest a certain ataxia subtype; however, there is a significant overlap of imaging features among various etiologies, and conventional neuroimaging may be unremarkable in early disease. As such, diagnosis relies on the combination of history, a thorough clinical neurologic examination, and imaging with confirmatory laboratory and/or genetic testing based on these findings [73]. In some forms of ataxia, detection of abnormal iron deposition or calcification may also be helpful [75,76]. Finally, imaging is also important to exclude nondegenerative central etiologies of ataxia such as mass lesion or infarct [77]. CT Head With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT head with IV contrast in the evaluation of cerebellar ataxia. CT Head Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT head without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of cerebellar ataxia.