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Ataxia (and Dysmetria)
Published in Alexander R. Toftness, Incredible Consequences of Brain Injury, 2023
In many cases, ataxia can improve over time with rehabilitation that focuses on balance and coordination exercises (Marquer et al., 2014). Physical therapy seems to be at least somewhat effective for several different types of ataxia (Fonteyn et al., 2014). Recently, promising efforts to rehabilitate have been made using robot-assisted walking devices, immersive virtual reality, and exercise games (Lacorte et al., 2020). Regardless of which method is used, the key to making progress is regular intensive training—enough to convince the brain to rehire the conductor for the delicate symphony of moving your muscles.
Ataxia
Published in Charles Theisler, Adjuvant Medical Care, 2023
Different conditions can cause ataxia including vitamin B1, vitamin E, and possibly zinc deficiency,2 alcohol abuse, medications, strokes, tumors, cerebral palsy, brain degeneration, and multiple sclerosis.1 Inherited ataxia from defective genes also causes the condition. There is no cure for ataxia, but there are symptomatic treatments. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and to improve comfort and mobility.3 Medication typically has minimal impact on slowing ataxia’s progression unless it is caused by nutritional deficiencies.4
The patient with acute neurological problems
Published in Peate Ian, Dutton Helen, Acute Nursing Care, 2020
Beneath the diencephalon are the cerebellum and the brainstem. The cerebellum lies posterior to the brainstem. The surface of the cerebellum is similar to the surface of the cerebrum, has multiple sulci and gyri and contains a rim of grey matter. The cerebellum regulates posture and balance and is important for the coordinated contraction of skeletal muscle. Damage to the cerebellum affects muscle coordination and causes ataxia. Ataxia is most noticeable when walking, as individuals appear to stagger or have an abnormal gait. Similar signs of ataxia can be seen after excessive alcohol consumption; alcohol inhibits cerebellar function.
Acute epiglottitis is a rare clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019: a case report
Published in Infectious Diseases, 2022
Burak Gezer, Hakan Karabagli, Mert Sahinoglu, Ahmet Selim Karagoz
A 58-year-old woman presented to the neurosurgery outpatient clinic with headache and abnormal gait. Neurological examination showed ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhancing tumour 3 × 3 cm in diameter with extensive peripheral edoema in the right temporal lobe. Since she had a history of cancer, a metastasis was suspected. She had not had any risky contact or previous COVID-19 and was hospitalised for surgical treatment. On postoperative day 6, she was scheduled for discharge but developed acute-onset respiratory distress, supraclavicular and intercostal withdrawal, and stridor. She had tachycardia, hypertension, and low oxygen saturation (85% in room air). Neurological examination was normal. An arterial blood gas analysis showed pH, 7.46, oxygen saturation 89.3%, partial pressure of carbon dioxide 37.9 mmHg and partial pressure of oxygen 60.9 mmHg. White blood cell count was 6,400/µL, C-reactive protein 35.4 mg/L and procalcitonin <0.05 µg/L. The ear, nose, and throat and chest disease departments were consulted. No specific findings of COVID-19 pneumonia were found on chest computed tomography. A SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was recommended. Bronchoscopy showed finding consisten with acute epiglottitis. The SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive. Neck computed tomography showed near-total airway obstruction due to severe edoema of the epiglottis and periepiglottis (Figure 1).
Turkish version of Brief Ataxia Rating Scale
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2021
Elif Acar Arslan, Arzu Erden, Beril Dilber, Gülnur Esenülkü, Sevim Şahin, Tülay Kamaşak, Pınar Özkan Kart, Erhan Arslan, Murat Topbaş, Ali Cansu
Ataxia is a disorder of balance and coordination. Conditions accompanying ataxia include coordination weakness, imbalance, dysarthric speech, nystagmus, and swallowing disorder. The reported incidence of acute cerebellar ataxia in children is 1/100 000–1/500 000 [1,2]. Acute ataxia is the most common type, representing 40% of all cases as acute post-infectious cerebellar ataxia. Toxic causes are another very common source of acute childhood ataxias, accounting for approximately a further 30–32% [2–4]. The most common causes of childhood acute ataxia are acute post-infectious cerebellar ataxia, intoxications and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Other causes include cerebellar neoplasms, acute hydrocephalus, acute cerebellitis, traumatic or vascular causes, paraneoplastic causes and autoimmune diseases [3]. Congenital abnormalities, degenerative diseases, and hereditary ataxias are involved in the etiology of chronic and progressive ataxia. The estimated prevalence of acquired, hereditary and mixed childhood ataxia is 26/100 000 among children in Europe [5].
The use of motor learning and neural plasticity in rehabilitation for ataxic hemiparesis: A case report
Published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2020
Ellen O. Crum, Mathew J. Baltz, David A. Krause
An ischemic infarction of lacunar type occurs in deep arterioles that originate directly from large cerebral arteries that provide blood supply to the deepest territories of the middle cerebral hemisphere and brainstem. A “lacune” is defined as a small cavity or hole. In the case of ataxic hemiparesis, the lesion occurs in the pathways of the posterior limb of the internal capsule or the pons (Arboix and Martí-Vilalta, 2009). Symptoms manifest as cerebellar-type ataxia on the same side as pyramidal distribution weakness and corticospinal tract signs with no loss of sensation. There is debate surrounding the cerebellar component of ataxic hemiparesis, but authors suggest that corticocerebellar fibers possibly intermingle with the corticospinal tract (Gorman, Dafer, and Levine, 1998). Regardless of the underlying etiology, the limited evidence available for treatment of ataxia includes balance retraining, coordination, and constraint-induced movement therapy, but lacks details of the specific interventions used and the timing of implementation during rehabilitation to promote function (Januario, Campos, and Amaral, 2010). Current research describes intervention principles for cerebellar ataxia, a diagnosis distinctly different than ataxic hemiparesis.