•  
  •  
 

Submission Type

Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a syndrome characterized by autoimmune inflammation of the limbic system in the setting of underlying malignancy. The syndrome presents with acute to subacute neuropsychiatric clinical findings, often before the cancer diagnosis is known.

Clinical Findings: A 57-year-old woman with a 30 pack-year smoking history presented to Maine Medical Center after multiple generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Her family reported periodic odd behavior including confusion, disinhibition, and paranoia--all of which preceded her first seizure by two weeks.

Diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes: MRI brain showed T2/FLAIR signal hyperintensity of the right amygdala and hippocampus with sparing of the right insular cortex and cingulate gyrus. Electroencephalogram showed frequent right temporal simple partial seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid was notable for mild pleocytosis and positive GABA-B-R antibodies with a titer of 1:32 (reference range

Conclusions: This case illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. The strong association with often undiagnosed malignancy underscores this importance; as well as the opportunity for early initiation of tumor treatment.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.