Atypical Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome – a Case Report

Czech version

Authors: K. Bechyně ¹; D. Rosol ¹; D. Apetauerová ²; I. Schenk ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologické oddělení, Nemocnice Písek, a. s. ¹; Neurology Department Lahey Clinic Burlington MA, USA ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2012; 75/108(3): 359-362
Category: Case Report

Overview

Paraneoplastic syndrome with neurological manifestation results from an immune response to a tumor ectopically expressing a neuronal antigen. A clinical manifestation of neurological paraneoplastic syndrome often precedes the diagnosis of malignancy. Frequently, onconeural antibodies are measured in patients with paraneoplastic syndromes. To some extent, onconeural antibodies may assist in localizing the primary tumor. Over the recent decades, our understanding of pathophysiology of nervous system damage continues to grow, further onconeural antibodies are being identified and new clinical syndromes established. The anti-Yo onconeural antibody has most commonly been associated with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration; only a small proportion of patients presents with an involvement of peripheral nervous system. We are describing a case of progressive flaccid paraparesis of lower extremities and endometrial carcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with subacute motor axonal polyneuropathy with the presence of onconeural anti-Yo antibody. We concluded that this was an atypical paraneoplastic neurological syndrome.

Key words:
paraneoplastic neurological syndrome – paraneoplastic polyneuropathy – antibodies

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