[Limbic encephalitis and SIADH revealing small-cell anaplastic lung cancer: MRI and immunologic findings]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 1998 Jul;154(6-7):539-41.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a manifestation of clinico pathological entity encephalo-myelo-neuropathy associated with anti-neuronal antibodies type 1 (ANNA-1 also called anti-Hu). Isolated PLE is rare. We reported a case of PLE in a 61-year-old heavy smoker man. An inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome was associated. Cranial MRI showed hyperintensity in amygdalo-hippocampic regions on T2 weighted sequences which appeared hypointense on T1-weighted sequences without gadolinium enhancement. Anti-Hu antibodies were absent in serum and in CSF. Despite chemotherapy, he died 18 months after disease onset. Our patient presented PLE without myelonouropathy and without ANNA-1 which suggests a different immunopathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoantibodies / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / etiology*
  • Limbic System / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurons / immunology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies