Kinetic tremor and cerebellar ataxia as initial manifestations of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease

J Neurol Sci. 2009 Feb 15;277(1-2):181-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.10.021. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Abstract

Involvement of central nervous system occasionally occurs as a form of aseptic meningitis in Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). However, acute cerebellar symptoms are very rare in KFD. We describe a 42 year-old woman presenting kinetic tremor and gait ataxia preceding cervical lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis of KFD was made based on pathology. Lymphocyte-dominant pleocytosis was observed in cerebrospinal fluid. Brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed no structural abnormalities. Acute cerebellar symptoms and cervical lymphadenopathy disappeared spontaneously within 2 months. This case of KFD involved unusual acute cerebellar symptoms. Selective involvement of the cerebellar system by viral or immunologic response may be attributed to acute cerebellar symptoms in KFD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
  • Female
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / complications
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tremor / diagnosis*
  • Tremor / etiology