A Case of HIV Infection with Progressive Cerebellar Dysfunction as Initial Manifestation

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is known to affect the nervous system at all levels. Neurological complications of HIV occur at all stage of HIV infection, but cerebellar degeneration associated with HIV infection in the absence of cognitive impairment is exceedingly rare. We report a case of HIV infection, in which cerebellar degeneration was the first clinical manifestation. The brain MRI showed marked isolated cerebellar atrophy with severe cerebellar degeneration, but the patient did not have cognitive dysfunction. She was diagnosed as cerebellar form of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with HIV infection. HIV infection should be considered in the diagnosis of any patient with cerebellar dysfunction of unclear origin.