Recurrent and reversible cerebellar ataxia with concomitant episodes of hyperthyroidism: a new autoimmune syndrome.

A new disorder with possible autoimmune background is described in a 67-year-old man. He had experienced episodes of cerebellar ataxia induced by infections over the last 40 years. In 1963 he had thyrotoxicosis. The patient underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy. Recently it has been possible to detect involvement also of his remaining thyroid gland, with findings compatible with hyperthyroidism concomitant with his cerebellar atixia.