Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Gastroenterology Res 2019 Apr 7;12(2):96-99. Epub 2019 Apr 7.

Department of Medicine, Bronxcare Hospital Center, Bronx, NY 10457, USA.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affects more than half a million people worldwide each year. Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with HCC include erythrocytosis, hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypoglycemia and thrombocytosis. Thrombocytosis is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome in HCC mediated by thrombopoietin (TPO) production. Read More

Cureus 2019 Feb 4;11(2):e4005. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Internal Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Milford, USA.

Venous thrombosis is a vascular disorder which is a consequence of Virchow's triad: hypercoagulability, venous stasis, and endothelial injury. While lower extremity deep venous thrombosis is common, upper torso thrombosis is a rare clinical condition and usually a complication of central venous catheterization or malignancy-related paraneoplastic syndromes. Herein, we present a rare case of a 64-year-old male who presented with right upper extremity and right facial swelling who was found to have a thrombus in the right internal jugular vein and right subclavian vein with no predisposing factors. Read More

J Autoimmun 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; University of Guanajuato, Mexico. Electronic address:

A number of neurological syndromes have been described in patients with positive serum antibodies (Abs) against the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate limiting step in the synthesis of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid). These disorders include: classical stiff-person syndrome and variants, cerebellar ataxia, limbic and extra-limbic encephalitis, nystagmus/oculomotor dysfunction, drug-resistant epilepsy, paraneoplastic stiff-person syndrome and progressive encephalopathy with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM), the latter two are mainly related to amphiphysin and the glycine receptor Abs respectively; but patients may also have positive GAD-Abs. Although observations are consistent with an autoimmune response in these patients and there is evidence of GABAergic dysfunction in some cases; the pathogenic role of GAD-Abs in the nervous system has not been clarified and it is a matter of debate. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2019 Feb;8(2):754-756

Department of Psychiatry, Iqraa International Hospital and Research Centre, Calicut, Kerala, India.

The association of dermatomyositis and underlying malignancies, especially small cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, has been recognized a long time ago. We report the case of a 63-year-old male chronic smoker with adenocarcinoma lung associated with dermatomyositis. The occurrence of dermatomyositis should be considered as a potential presentation of paraneoplastic syndromes and physicians encountering similar clinical situations should perform extensive diagnostic work-up to exclude underlying neoplastic lesions. Read More

Ochsner J 2019 ;19(1):59-62

The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder first described in 2007. It can cause severe neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, and patients often are misdiagnosed with a primary psychiatric disorder. Anti-NMDA-R encephalitis is an important differential diagnosis of psychosis, as the condition can be treated with the appropriate therapy. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019 Apr 1;31:97-100. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Center for pathophysiology Toulouse Purpan, INSERM U1043, CNRS 5282, Université Toulouse III, 31024 Toulouse, France; CRC-SEP, Pôle Neurosciences, CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, characterized by the presence of auto-antibodies directed against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) expressed on astrocyte end-feet. Despite NMOSD does not primarily belong to the spectrum of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, rare cases of association with neoplasia have been outlined. Here, we report the association of NMOSD with ovarian teratoma in 3 cases. Read More

Cir Cir 2019 ;86(1):72-76

Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Guanajuato. León, Gto., Mexico.

Background: Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes are rare, occur in 0.01% of all cancer patients; like part of them, the Lambert-Eaton syndrome is an autoimmune presynaptic disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by muscle weakness and neurovegetative dysfunction, and often associated with small cell lung cancer.

Case Report: A 72 years old female with a family history of lung cancer and leukemia, with 7 months of dry cough and 3 months with waist and pelvic muscle weakness, oropharyngeal dysphagia, dry mouth, chronic constipation and weight loss of 10 kg. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 20;10:270. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.

Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LECL) restricted to gray matter are poorly understood as are their neurodevelopmental repercussions in children. We herein report the critical case of a 13-year-old male presenting with progressive quadriparesis found to have cervical LECL restricted to the anterior horns. Challenged with a rare diagnostic dilemma, the clinical team systematically worked through potential vascular, genetic, infectious, rheumatologic, and paraneoplastic diagnoses before assigning a working diagnosis of acute inflammatory myelopathy. Read More

Intern Med 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Department of Nephrology, Tokyo Teishin Hospital, Japan.

An 83-year-old man with stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibited a sudden increase in urinary N-acetyl-β-D glucosaminidase and protein excretion, suggesting aggravated kidney damage. Simultaneously, he lost diabetic control, requiring up to 54 units of insulin daily. A detailed examination revealed the presence of renal cell carcinoma, which was surgically resected and confirmed to be interleukin-6-positive by immunohistochemistry. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 11;10:202. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Autoimmune Encephalitis and Paraneoplastic Syndromes Clinic, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Semin Diagn Pathol 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114-2696, United States. Electronic address:

Neuroendocrine paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) consist of metabolic disorders that accompany benign and malignant neoplasms but remain unrelated to mass effects or invasion by the primary tumor or its metastases. The underlying pathogenesis responsible for PNS usual clinical presentation rely on aberrant production of protein hormones, proteins and other substances by the tumor. Prompt recognition of characteristic signs and symptoms combined with serological identification of key substances may result in early diagnosis of PNS and its underlying malignancy. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2019 Mar;22(3):132-136

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The clinical data of 15 patients with SCLC combined with PLE from January 1980 to May 2017 were collected from Beijing Union Hospital. Their symptoms and laboratory data were analyzed and the prognosis of the patients was followed. Read More

Vet Med Sci 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware, Newcastle, Delaware, USA.

Oncological emergencies can occur at any time during the course of a malignancy and need to be recognized promptly to maximize successful outcomes. Emergencies are characterized as chemotherapy-induced, paraneoplastic syndromes, or directly related to the neoplasm. Prompt identification with treatment of these emergencies can prolong survival and improve quality of life, even in the setting of terminal illness. Read More

J Neuroimmunol 2019 May 1;330:136-142. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, PR China. Electronic address:

Paraneoplastic myelopathy is rare paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. We reviewed patients through medical records system and screened patients who presented with myelopathy, and/or coexisting cancer, and/or onconeural antibodies. Nine patients were identified as paraneoplastic myelopathy presenting with progressive subacute (2/9) or insidious (7/9) myelopathy. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2019 Apr 16;49(4):534-550. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are defined as clinical syndromes that are not related to direct tumor invasion or compression but are secondary to tumor secretion of functional peptides/hormones or related to immune cross-reactivity with normal host tissue. Paraneoplastic syndromes have a wide range of presentations and can present before the primary malignancy or tumor recurrence is diagnosed. They can mimic non-neoplastic processes, making detection, diagnosis and treatment difficult. Read More

Semin Diagn Pathol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, Department of Histopathology, Fulham Place Road, London W6 8RF, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are rare clinical syndromes due to the systemic effects of tumours; they are unrelated to tumour size, invasiveness or metastases. Recent years have seen considerable advances leading to improved understanding of their pathophysiology and increased recognition of new PNS entities and PNS associated tumours. While of paramount importance, diagnosis is still frequently missed or delayed. Read More

Semin Diagn Pathol 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Divisions of Surgical Pathology, Cytopathology, & Autopsy Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Turk Pediatri Ars 2018 Dec 1;53(4):263-266. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Lymphomas are solid tumors characterized by the malignant proliferation of lymphoid cells. Neurologic signs encountered in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma can be due to the direct spread of tumor to the nervous system, secondary to chemotherapy or radiation, secondary to tumor mass compression, infectious causes and paraneoplastic syndromes. Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are rarely encountered in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 14;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.

Paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalopathic syndromes have been described most often in association with small cell lung cancer or breast cancer, tumours of the ovaries, testes, lymphoma and thymoma. Antibodies associated with paraneoplastic encephalopathies are, among others, anti-Hu, anti-Ma2 and, in part, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)-receptor antibodies. Here, we present the case of a 72-year-old patient hospitalised due to progressive cognitive decline and disorientation. Read More

Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019 Mar 12. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Neuroimmunology Programme, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) comprise a group of disorders that can affect any part of the nervous system in patients with cancer and frequently result from autoimmune responses triggered by the ectopic expression of neuronal proteins in cancer cells. These disorders are rare, although the introduction of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) into cancer treatment algorithms has renewed interest in PNSs. ICIs are associated with a considerably increased incidence of immunological toxicities compared with traditional anticancer therapies, including neurological immune-related adverse effects (nirAEs) that can manifest as PNSs. Read More

Med J Malaysia 2019 Feb;74(1):97-98

National University Health System, Department of Medicine, Singapore.

Thymoma is a rare mediastinal tumour that can be accompanied by different paraneoplastic syndromes. Here we report a case of Type A thymoma associated with relapsing minimal change disease (MCD). This case highlights: (1) The need to balance rapid prednisolone weaning against risk for relapse in an elderly patient at risk for steroid-induced complications. Read More

Ann Oncol 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment is an important complication in cancer patients, yet the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Over the last decade, the field of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes has been dramatically changed by the discovery of new neuronal autoantibodies, some of them associated with cognitive impairment. We aimed to assess the prevalence of neuronal autoantibodies in melanoma patients and their association with neurological and cognitive dysfunction. Read More

Semin Diagn Pathol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address:

A variety of soft tissue and visceral neoplasms have been associated with constitutional symptoms and signs including fever, fatigue, arthritis and laboratory abnormalities such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis with marked neutrophilia, anemia, thrombocytosis and others. This review addresses three main neoplastic categories that are associated with specific paraneoplastic phenomena: (1) neoplasms having in common the presence of diffuse mixed inflammatory infiltration (closely simulating an inflammatory pseudotumor) and frequently associated with constitutional symptoms; (2) neoplasms with undifferentiated, anaplastic or rhabdoid cell morphology (frequently SWI/SNF-deficient) associated with diverse paraneoplastic manifestations; and (3) paraneoplasia associated with neoplasms carrying specific gene fusions such as solitary fibrous tumor (STAT6-NAB2 gene fusions), infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma (ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusions), and angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (EWSR1-CREB1 & EWSR1-ATF1 fusions). Read More

Oncol Res Treat 2019 23;42(3):123-127. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Background: Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs) are rare malignancies with both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components. To date, the prognosis of gastroenteropancreatic MANECs remains dismal, and treatment options are mainly based on guidelines for the treatment of pure neuroendocrine carcinomas or small cell lung cancer. Established first-line therapy in the metastatic situation is cisplatin and etoposide. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019 May 13;30:163-164. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizman 6 Street, Tel-Aviv, 6423906, Israel; Autoimmune Neurology Laboratory, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizman 6 Street, Tel-Aviv, 6423906, Israel; Autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndromes clinic, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizman 6 Street, Tel-Aviv, 6423906, Israel.

MOG-Ab positive CNS demyelination typically involves the optic nerve and spinal cord. Recurrent episodes of myelitis without optic neuritis are very rare and according to current literature review represent about 3-5% of positive MOG-Ab cases. We report a 30-year-old woman with positive serum MOG-Ab suffering two discrete episodes of transverse myelitis without ophthalmic involvement. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2019 Feb 18;17(1). Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Section of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 5044, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA.

Background: Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, an autoimmune disease associated with antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, is being diagnosed more frequently, especially in children and young adults. Acute neurological and psychiatric manifestations are the common presenting symptoms. Diagnosing anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is often challenging given the wide range of clinical presentation, and may be further complicated by its overlap of symptoms, brain MRI changes, and CSF findings with other entities affecting the brain. Read More

Clin Lung Cancer 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA.

Introduction: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are rare malignancies with a paucity of data on biology and therapeutics. Galectin-1 is a member of the β-galactoside binding protein family and has been shown to mediate tumor growth via modulation of immune cell function. This study examined galectin-1 expression in TET. Read More

Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek 2018 Jun;24(2):57-64

Department of Inectious Diseases, 3rd Medical faculty, Charles University, Prague, Hospital na Bulovce, Czech Republic, e-mail:

We present a case of a 17-year-old female with anti-NMDAR encephalitis probably associated with vaccination against yellow fever. Her symptoms occurred 27 days after vaccination against yellow fever. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis manifested as acute psychosis, memory loss and catatonia following fever with complex partial epileptic seizures. Read More

Semin Diagn Pathol 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

PRW Laboratories, Charlottesville, VA, United State.

A variety of cutaneous abnormalities can be seen in patients with malignant diseases, some of which are infectious, with others representing direct involvement of the skin by the underlying disorder. Yet another group of lesions can be regarded as associated markers of the malignant process, and, as such, are termed "paraneoplastic." This review considers the latter collection of conditions, grouping them by the generic type of malignancy that is usually linked to the paraneoplasia. Read More

BMC Neurol 2019 Feb 7;19(1):19. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China.

Background: Anti leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune encephalitis (AE), characterized by acute or subacute cognitive impairment, faciobrachial dystonic seizures, psychiatric disturbances and hyponatremia. Antibody-LGI 1 autoimmune encephalitis (anti-LGI1 AE) has increasingly been recognized as a primary autoimmune disorder with favorable prognosis and response to treatment.

Case Presentation: Herein, we reported a male patient presenting as rapidly progressive dementia and hyponatremia. Read More

Oncotarget 2019 Jan 1;10(1):17-29. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the prostate (NEPCs) are rare tumors with poor prognosis. While platinum and etoposide-based chemotherapy regimens (PE) are commonly applied in first-line for advanced disease, evidence for second-line therapy and beyond is very limited.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients with NEPCs including mixed differentiation with adenocarcinoma component and well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs, carcinoids) at two high-volume oncological centers between 12/2000 and 11/2017. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1941:225-255

Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.

Immune-mediated inflammation of the brain has been recognized for more than 50 years, although the initial descriptions were mainly thought to be secondary to an underlying neoplasm. Some of these paraneoplastic encephalitides express serum antibodies, but these were not thought to be pathogenic but instead have a T-cell-mediated pathophysiology. Over the last two decades, several pathogenic antibodies against neuronal surface antigens have been described in autoimmune encephalitis, which are amenable to immunotherapy. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

French Reference Center on Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique, Bron.

Purpose Of Review: The current review develops the clinical presentations of nonparaneoplastic autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA) and analyzes the association with autoantibodies.

Recent Findings: Emerging evidence suggests that autoimmunity is involved in a significant proportion of sporadic ataxia cases. Moreover, numerous autoantibodies have recently been described in association with sporadic cerebellar ataxia, improving diagnosis and patient categorization. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2019 Mar 29;13(1):71-79. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal Montreal, Centre-ville station, PO Box 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.

Excluding human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven conditions, oral papillary lesions consist of a variety of reactive and neoplastic conditions and, on occasion, can herald internal malignancy or be part of a syndrome. The objectives of this paper are to review the clinical and histopathological features of the most commonly encountered non-HPV papillary conditions of the oral mucosa. These include normal anatomic structures (retrocuspid papillae, lingual tonsils), reactive lesions (hairy tongue, inflammatory papillary hyperplasia), neoplastic lesions (giant cell fibroma), lesions of unknown pathogenesis (verruciform xanthoma, spongiotic gingival hyperplasia) and others associated with syndromes (for instance Cowden syndrome) or representing paraneoplastic conditions (malignant acanthosis nigricans). Read More

Ecancermedicalscience 2018 20;12:882. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Haematology Department, Virgen del Puerto Hospital, Paraje de Valcorchero s/n, 10600 Plasencia, Spain.

Follicular lymphoma does not usually present with associated paraneoplastic syndromes. We describe the case of a patient diagnosed with follicular lymphoma when investigating anaemia of chronic disease/inflammation and who, during her clinical course, developed peliosis hepatis. We have been able to confirm the similarity between the symptoms, the tumour's biology, the anaemia and peliosis, with the behaviour of endothelial growth factor, interleukins and iron metabolism disorders, which were normalised with treatment. Read More

Turk J Urol 2018 Sep 12;45(1):70-72. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

Department of Urology, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are functional clinical disorders caused by the direct effect of the primary tumor or metastasis. The initial presenting symptom of the patients may be associated with paraneoplastic manifestations. Paraneoplastic cholestasis is most frequently defined in association with renal cell carcinoma (Stauffer's syndrome), but it is an extremely rare clinical entity seen in association with prostate cancer. Read More

Nutr Cancer 2019 19;71(4):629-633. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

a Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, INICSA , Córdoba , Argentina.

Ilex paraguariensis (IP) is widely consumed as tea with high nutritional value. This plant contains several bioactive phenolic compounds, which are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. On the other hand, lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) deleteriously involves neoplastic progression, inflammatory paraneoplastic syndromes, and death. Read More

N Engl J Med 2019 Jan;380(3):e3

University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(2):e14033

Rationale: We report this 1st case because perampanel may be effective against the seizures and abnormal behavior that occur in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Patient Concerns: The patient was a healthy 26-year-old woman who suddenly developed seizures and exhibited abnormal behavior.

Diagnoses: NMDAR encephalitis was diagnosed based on positive NMDAR antibody on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 3;141(2):431-439. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York Street, LLCI 9th floor, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.

Background: Given its rare incidence, there are few epidemiological case series on paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS).

Methods: We present a 10-year series compiled in the Section of Neuro-Oncology, Yale Cancer Center between 2002 and 2012.

Results: Twenty-five cases met the PNS Euro-network criteria for definitive PNS. Read More

Seizure 2019 Feb 19;65:20-24. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Neurology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

Purpose: The clinical utility of EEG in cases of NMDA encephalitis is broad with many findings indicating not just epileptiform activity but also encephalopathy and potentially providing insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease. We aimed to determine the frequency of different abnormalities described on EEG and their association with outcome in patients affected by NMDARE through a systematic review of all cases published.

Method: A systematic literature review of PubMed and Embase of all published cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with EEG results, was performed from inception to January 2018. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Apr 22;25(4):431-436. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Geneva University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) refers to a central nervous system (CNS) antibody-mediated entity characterized by a rapid onset behavioural and cognitive decline that can be associated with movement disorders, epileptic and dysautonomic features. Interestingly, it is thought to be as common as its infectious disease counterpart and can share some clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings.

Objectives: The aim is to describe the main clinical features of AE caused by antibodies targeting cell-surface neuronal agents and the diagnostic means to identify them. Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 Dec;379(24):e41

University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy

Reumatismo 2018 Dec 20;70(4):199-211. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena.

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PS) are a heterogeneous group of diseases related to a neoplasm, indirectly dependent on it. Diagnosis and the treatment are often a challenge for clinicians, not least because the pathogenetic mechanisms are highly complex and not entirely known. Nonetheless, in most cases, PS precede the diagnosis of malignancies, thus their identification is particularly important in addressing physicians' diagnostic work-up with regard to early cancer diagnosis. Read More

Neth J Med 2018 Dec;76(10):431-436

Harbour Hospital and Institute for Tropical Diseases, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (currently working at Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Rotterdam).

Hypereosinophilia encompasses a broad differential diagnosis of atopy/allergic reactions, drug reactions, parasitic infections and paraneoplastic syndromes. Although mostly of limited clinical significance, hypereosinophilia can also be related to hematological malignancies. One has to be aware of the potential for secondary organ damage for example, in the case of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 7;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.

Dermatomyositis is a multisystem disease manifesting as an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, characterised predominantly by cutaneous and muscular abnormalities. Patients with dermatomyositis display characteristic skin changes in addition to muscle weakness. Many consider dermatomyositis a paraneoplastic syndrome, as up to 32% of patients with dermatomyositis will develop cancer. Read More

Support Care Cancer 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Statistical Design and Biometrics, Medicxact SL, Alpedrete, Spain.

Objective: The reason cancer pain remains prevalent and hard to classify may be partially explained by the failure to identify neuropathic mechanisms. The objective of this research was to identify the syndromes of cancer pain that may be particularly hard to manage due to their mixed pathophysiology.

Design: A series of 384 patients who had cancer of any type, at any stage, and suffered from chronic pain (symptom onset > 3 months) were assessed during a routine return visit in Spain. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13651

Department of Anesthesiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, Japan.

Rationale: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an immune-mediated syndrome caused by the production of antibodies against NMDA receptors. As NMDA receptors are important targets of many anesthetic drugs, the perioperative management of patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is challenging for anesthesiologists.

Patient Concerns: A 31-year-old woman presented with akinesia and aphasia, which worsened despite steroid therapy. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 12;97(50):e13625

Department of Nephrology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China

Rationale: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is an auto-immune and paraneoplastic encephalitis with prominent neuropsychiatric manifestations. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is located in the forebrain and hippocampus and plays a role in learning and memory.

Patient Concerns: A 29-year-old female patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, was reported and we also reviewed the literature and summarised the characteristics of the cases. Read More

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Oncology, Faculty Hospital Trencin, Legionarska 28, Trencin, Slovak Republic.

Aims: Hypotension can be a symptom of paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy (PAN). Onconeural antibodies (OA) provide strong evidence for the paraneoplastic origin of neurological syndromes. Our goal was to assess the frequency of PAN among patients with advanced malignancies and hypotension using OA. Read More