Sudden death from fulminant acute cerebellitis

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2001 Jul;35(1):24-8. doi: 10.1159/000050381.

Abstract

Acute cerebellitis is postulated to result from viral and/or autoimmune etiologies. This disease has been reported to have a variable course. We report a case of sudden death from acute fulminant cerebellitis in a 13-year-old ballet dancer. Serial CT and MRI demonstrated rapid progression of the disease. Histopathologic correlation is provided. The etiologies, clinical course, therapeutic interventions and postmortem evaluation of this potentially life-threatening condition are briefly reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Edema / complications
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Diseases / complications*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Diseases / virology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnosis
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery
  • Intracranial Pressure / physiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningoencephalitis / diagnosis
  • Meningoencephalitis / virology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed