[Cerebellar syndrome after varicella infection without virus identification in cerebrospinal fluid--an important differential ataxia diagnosis].

We report on a 35 year old female with a 26 day history of an intermittent cerebellar syndrome (dysarthria, ataxia of extremities, gait and trunk, nystagmus), mild meningism, cephalgia, recurrent emesis and nausea. Symptoms developed after typically chickenpox exanthema. Examination of the liquor showed mild pleocytosis, elevated protein and increased albumin quotient. Virus was not found by EIA or PCR. There were elevated levels of IgM- and IgG-antibodies to VZV. The EEG showed mild general changes, compatible with an encephalitis. Neuroradiological examinations were unremarkful. The neurological deficits partly regressed in the follow-up of two months. To the best of our knowledge we are the first that describe the paradox of an intermittent cerebellar syndrome after infection with chickenpox without detection of the virus in the liquor. This phenomenon can be related to the unusual combination of cerebellar ataxia and the later occurrence of mild encephalitis.