Clinical question: Is there change in cerebellum or ?olivary lesionSigns and Symptoms: ataxia MRI brain:There is redemonstration of cystic lesions in the medulla bilaterally at the expected location of the all of which is larger on the left compared to the right side. There is no associated diffusion restriction. There is no associated susceptibility effect. There is no associated contrast enhancement on the prior exam. The one on the left measures 4 x 5 mm axial dimensions and 4 x 9 mm coronal dimensions whereas the one on the right measures 3 x 3 mm axial dimensions and 3 x 3 mm coronal dimensions. These cystic lesions are slightly more prominent on the current prior exam though this appearance of a larger on the current versus the prior exam may be due to difference in slice thickness and gap on the prior MR acquisition and therefore may not be valid. This there is no convincing evidence for interval change in size of these lesions.There is associated cerebellar atrophy present. This is also present on the prior exam. The degree of cerebellar atrophy appears similar compared to the prior exam.There are no associated lesions appreciated in the dentate nuclei nor in the right nuclei.The supratentorial CSF spaces are appropriate for the patient's stated age with no midline shift. No abnormal mass lesions are appreciated intracranially. No intracranial hemorrhage is identified. No edema is identified within the brain parenchyma.Normal vascular flow voids are present in the distal carotid and vertebral arteries, the basilar artery and the proximal anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries as well as the internal cerebral veins and superior sagittal sinus.The visualized portions of the paranasal sinuses are clear. The visualized portions of the mastoid air cells are clear. The visualized portions of the orbits are intact.MRI cervical spine:The cervical vertebral bodies are appropriate in overall alignment and height. The cervical spinal cord has normal signal characteristics and overall morphology. There is multilevel disc desiccation present.At C2-3 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. There is a disc bulge present at this level.At C3-4 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. There is a disc bulge present at this level.At C4-5 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. There is a disc bulge present at this level.At C5-6 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. There is a disc bulge present at this level.At C6-7 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. There is a disc bulge present at this level.At C7-T1 there is no significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina.The vertebral artery flow voids appear to be intact.
1.There are cystic lesions centered in olivary nuclei bilaterally (left larger than right) - suspected to represent cystic degeneration - associated with relatively symmetric cerebellar atrophy.2.No intrinsic spinal cord lesions are appreciated3.There are mild degenerative changes present in the cervical spine mainly in the form of disk degeneration without significant compromise to the spinal canal or neural foramina. At age 22 this is more disk dessication than usually expected.