Skull structure with primary cerebellar degeneration

In the present study the structure of the skull and particularly the structure of the posterior cranial fossa was investigated in cases of primary cerebellar atrophy. The findings from the metric study of the skull X-rays of 13 patients were compared with those of a group of 100 healthy individuals. It was found that the patients' posterior fossa is more shallow than that of the controls (p < 0.001). The modification of the posterior fossa seems to be attributed to shortness (p < 0.01) of the bones which form it (clivus and occipital bone). The possible pathogenesis and the explanation of the findings in general is discussed. (orig.)