A cerebellar tumor in the flocculonodular lobe of a child presents characteristically with which of the following?
- A Gait ataxia with wide-based stance and truncal instability, without limb dysmetria ✓
- B Ipsilateral limb dysmetria and intention tremor
- C Nystagmus with contralateral limb ataxia
- D Dysdiadochokinesia predominantly
Correct answer: A. Gait ataxia with wide-based stance and truncal instability, without limb dysmetria
Explanation
The flocculonodular lobe (archicerebellum) controls equilibrium and posture through vestibular connections. Lesions here cause vestibular ataxia with wide-based gait and truncal instability but relative sparing of individual limb coordination. The neocerebellum (lateral hemispheres) controls ipsilateral limb coordination; damage causes dysmetria, intention tremor, and dysdiadochokinesia. Medulloblastoma in children classically arises in the midline vermis/flocculonodular lobe and presents with this pattern.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
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