A Fatal Case of Cerebellar Hypoplasia Associated With Anterior Horn Cell Disease

Abstract

A fatal case of cerebellar hypoplasia associated with anterior horn cell disease: A 27-month-old girl was admitted with inability to walk and speak. The pregnancy, labor and delivery were unremarkable. She was the second child of first degree consanguineous parents and the other 5-year-old child was healthy. On physical examination, she could sit without aid. Horizontal nystagmus and bilateral optic atrophy were diagnosed. Moderate hypotonicity and muscle atrophy were noted in the lower extremities, and deep tendon reflexes were found to be brisk. Serum creatine kinase level was normal. Brainstem auditory evoked potential was also bilateral normal. Flash visual evoked potential was found to be prolonged bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed severe cerebellar hypoplasia and mild cerebral atrophy. Electromyographic examination was consistent with anterior horn cell disease. Muscle biopsy specimen was unremarkable. Genetic analysis was unremarkable. The patient was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia associated with anterior horn cell disease, which was named as amyotrophic cerebellar hypoplasia, Norman's disease or infantile neuronal degeneration in the literature. During the follow-up, the parents said that she died at the age of 34 months, because of probable infection.