DARK CEREBELLAR SIGN: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Abstract:

We  are  here  to  discuss  a  case  of  “dark  cerebellar  sign”, a  rare  sign  in neuroradiology. Dark  cerebellar  sign is  characterized  by  a  hypoxic  ischemic  insult resulting  in  an  edematous  cerebellum  that  appears  hypodense  on  CT scan. Our patient  is  a  13  year  old  male, known  case  of  Acute  lymphocytic  leukemia (ALL) for  7  years, treated  for  relapse, recurrent  febrile  illnesses  and  discharged  from hospital  two  days  before  presenting  in  ER  in  a  collapsed  state  with  metabolic derangements  and  dark  cerebellar  sign  on  CT scan. Etiology  of  this  sign  is  not  well  established  as  isolated  infarction  of  cerebellum  is  rare. A single  case  report has  shown  an  association  of  TCA (tricyclic antidepressants)  intoxication  with  dark cerebellar  sign. Our  case  shows  that  metabolic  derangements, hematological  diseases and  infections  should  be  included  in  the  list  of  differential  diagnosis  for  isolated  cerebellar  infarction  in  children.   

Key words: Dark  cerebellum,  Acute  lymphoblastic  leukemia.