Post-Streptococcal Ataxia

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Ataxia following strep throat typically presents as acute or subacute onset of uncoordinated voluntary movements, which may manifest as unsteady gait, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesis, and nystagmus, according to the American College of Radiology 1
When evaluating a patient with ataxia and suspected strep throat connection, consider timing: post-infectious ataxia typically develops within days to weeks after the streptococcal infection, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 2

For patients presenting with acute ataxia and suspected post-streptococcal etiology, brain MRI is the preferred imaging modality to evaluate for cerebellar involvement or other intracranial pathology, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3

Do not mistake post-streptococcal ataxia for other causes of acute cerebellar dysfunction such as acute cerebellitis of other infectious etiologies, posterior fossa tumors, toxic ingestions, or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, as cautioned by the American College of Radiology 2, 4