A Case of Child with Vertigo Related to Acute Cerebellitis

A child with vertigo related to acute cerebellitis is reported. The patient was a 7-year-old boy who presented with ataxia and vertigo. Gaze nystagmus, in which the direction of nystagmus periodically alternated, was observed. This type of nystagmus was also observed in spontaneous nystagmus. MRI of the brain in the acute stage revealed no swelling of the cerebellum and no abnormal signal intensity. High serum IGM and IGG titers to Epstein-Barr virus were demonstrated. As a result of these tests and the clinical course, we diagnosed acute cerebellitis related to Epstein-Barr virus. It is very rare for young children to complain of vertigo, and it is necessary to keep in mind that vertigo and ataxia can be caused by acute cerebellitis.