A patient with encephalitis associated with NMDA receptor antibodies

SANSING L. H., Tuzun E., KO M. W., BACCON J., LYNCH D. R., DALMAU J.

NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE NEUROLOGY, vol.3, no.5, pp.291-296, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/ncpneuro0493
  • Journal Name: NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE NEUROLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.291-296
  • Keywords: catatonia, NMDA receptor antibodies, ovarian teratoma, paraneoplastic encephalitis, psychosis, PARANEOPLASTIC LIMBIC ENCEPHALITIS, SYMPTOMS
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background A 34-year-old woman presented with headache, feverish sensation and anxiety, rapidly followed by homicidal ideation, aggressive agitation, seizures, hypoventilation, hyperthermia and prominent autonomic instability requiring intubation and sedation. She developed episodes of hypotension and bradycardia with periods of asystole lasting up to 15 seconds. Upon weaning off sedation, her eyes opened but she was unresponsive to stimuli. There was muscle rigidity, frequent facial grimacing, rhythmic abdominal contractions, kicking motions of the legs, and intermittent dystonic postures of the right arm.