Cerebellar atrophy following diphenylhydantoin intoxication.

Seven epileptic patients with permanent ataxic dysfunction following DPH treatment are described. The ataxia correlates with cerebellar atrophy, though the extents of clinical and structural lesions are not necessarily proportional. Cerebellar atrophy is demonstrated by CT scans, the vermal region seems to be predominantly affected.--The tentatively increased susceptibility of female patients and of patients with pre-existing brain lesions, as well as the possible consequences pertaining to the course of the epilepsy are discussed.