Recurrent acute cerebellar ataxia associated with anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

Various autoantibodies are detected in patients with acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA). Although an autoimmune process may contribute to the mechanism of ACA, its pathophysiology is not completely understood. We report a girl with recurrent ACA and anti-cardiolipin antibodies. Her cerebral blood flow imaging showed hypoperfusion in the cerebellum, which improved when the anti-cardiolipin antibodies disappeared. Our case suggests that vasculopathy or non-vascular neurotoxicity in the cerebellum caused by antiphospholipid antibodies leads to acute cerebellar ataxia. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.