Cerebellar atrophy diagnosed by computed tomography and clinical data.

The diagnostic relevance of computed tomography (CT) in the classification of cerebellar atrophy or degeneration is unclear. Twenty-one patients with cerebellar atrophy at CT were studied and the findings were correlated to clinical data. Based upon such data the material was divided into two groups. In the first group (12 patients), with signs of cerebellar deficiency, 6 cases presented familial hereditary ataxia, and olivopontocerebellar atrophy of the Menzl type, 3 ataxia telangiectasia (Louis-Bar syndrome), 2 olivopontocerebellar atrophy of the sporadic type, and 1 adrenoleukodystrophy. In the second group (9 patients), without cerebellar deficit, cerebellar atrophy was found only occasionally. In all of them, there was cerebral atrophy. Clinically manifest cerebellar deficiency and cerebellar atrophy as evident at CT was mainly found in patients with familial genetic disorders. Cerebellar and/or vermian atrophy without clinical signs of cerebellar deficiency were observed only occasionally and were not specific.