Objective: To verify vestibulocochlear disorders observed in a case of alcohol-induced cerebellar ataxia.

Background: Alcohol-induced cerebellar degeneration is the commonest type of acquired toxic ataxia, a frequent neurological disorder among alcoholics. The onset of the cerebellar symptoms usually occurs at middle age, with a significant history of chronic alcohol abuse. Permanent cerebellar deficits are observed among alcoholics, and they persist even with alcoholic abstinence.

Method: It is a clinical case study of alcohol-induced cerebellar ataxia. The patient featured troubled walking (wide-based gait, preserved tactile sensitivity, hyperesthesia of the lower limbs, nystagmus, dysmetria, mild dysdiadochokinesia, numbness in the distal phalanges of the upper limbs, and uncoordinated movement.

Results: The patient evidenced bilateral hearing loss from the frequency of 3kHz and absence of ipsilateral reflexes; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed atrophy of the Cerebellar Vermis; brainstem auditory evoked potential test (BAEP) evidenced diffused dysfunction of the auditory pathways; balance testing showed labyrinthine hypofunction with presence of bidirectional nystagmus, featuring central vestibular disorder; central auditory processing evaluation (CAP) showed alterations in the temporal ordination skills and auditory localization, and the falls efficacy scale (FES-1-Brazil) evidenced abnormalities.

Conclusion: The patient started treatment using B12 vitamin, thiamine and physical therapy. Currently, despite reported balance improvement, he needs ambulation support. He features nystagmus, bilateral dysmetria, mild dysdiadochokinesia, continuous tinnitus in his left ear, blurred vision and neck pain while moving it.

References: [1] Yokota O, Tsuchiya K, Terada S, Oshima K, Ishizu H, Matsushita M, Kuroda S, Akiyama H. Frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of alcoholic cerebellar degeneration in Japan: a cross-sectional study of 1,509 postmortems. Acta Neuropathol. 2006;112(1):43-51, [2] Torvik A, Torp S. The prevalence of alcoholic cerebellar atrophy. A morphometric and histological study of an autopsy material. J Neurol Sci. 1986;75(1):43-51.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/alcohol-induced-cerebellar-ataxia/