Nina Tolchenova - Cerebellar ataxia (Russia) Post on June 18, 2012

Name: Nina Tolchenova              
Sex: Female
Country: Russia
Age: 63
Diagnoses: 1. Cerebellar ataxia  2. Urinary tract infection
Admission Date: May 8, 2012
Days Admitted to Hospital: 25

In 2007, Nina developed stiffness in both legs without an obvious cause. As a result her walking became unstable. She went to the local hospital in Germany and was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia. Soon after this, additional symptoms developed including uncoordinated movements in both arms and increased difficulty with walking. Nina went to a hospital in the United States and received an MRI examination. She was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, but was not prescribed any medication at the time. Nina went to Germany for stem cell treatment in 2010, but the results were minimal. Her speech was slurred, had difficulty swallowing accompanied by choking and needed assistance to walk. When Nina arrived at our medical center her symptoms included balance impairment, unstable walking even with assistance, uncoordinated movements with both arms, intentional tremors and slurred speech.

Nervous System Examination:
Nina was alert. Her language was explosive. The calculation abilities, orientation and memory were almost normal. The tongue was centered in the oral cavity. The hearing was normal. The patient could turn the neck and shrug the shoulders strongly and symmetrically. The muscle strength of all four limbs was level 5. The bilateral biceps reflex, triceps reflex, radial periosteal reflex, patellar tendon reflex and ankle reflex were normal. The abdominal reflex was not elicited. The bilateral sucking reflex was negative. The bilateral Hoffmann's sign was negative. The bilateral Babinski's sign was neutral. The deep and shallow sensation was normal. The bilateral finger-to-nose test was positive and the right side was more severe. The rapid rotation test was positive and the left side was more uncoordinated. The patient could complete the heel-knee-shin test in an unstable manner. The Romberg's sign was positive.

Treatment:
Nina Tolchenova received all of the relevant examinations. She was diagnosed with 1. Cerebellar ataxia  2. Urinary tract infection. The patient was given treatment in order to expand the blood vessels, treatment to get rid of the anti-free radicals, and nourishment for the neurons. She also received antibiotics to treat the urinary tract infection. This was combined with physical rehabilitation therapy.

Post-treatment:
Nina Tolchenova's condition has gradually improved. The urinary tract infection has been alleviated. The fine motor movements of both hands are steadier. The balancing ability of the trunk has slightly improved.