Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: ClC4

Title: [Case of anti P/Q type VGCC antibody positive small lung cell carcinoma that occured with subacute cerebellar degeneration, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, and brainstem encephalitis]

Authors: Shigemi Nagayama, Fumihiko Koike, Tetsuo Sakai, Yasunobu Antoku, Motohiro Yukitake, Yasuo Kuroda

Journal, date & volume: , 2008 Dec , 60, 1470-4

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19110759

Abstract
A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of rapidly progressive dysarthria, truncal ataxia, and gait disturbance. High titers of the ProGRP and anti-P/Q-type VGCC antibody were detected in the serum. High accumulation of [18F] was detected at the hilus of the left lung on [18F]-FDG-PET scan. A high-frequency repetitive stimulation test of the median nerve yielded an incremental response. On the basis of these findings, a diagnosis of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) associated with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) was diagnosed. After intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg), methylprednisolone (m-PSL) pulse therapy, and other multidisciplinary concurrent treatments, a partial regression of the SCLC and a significant improvement in neurological symptoms were observed. However, ataxia relapsed and brainstem encephalitis developed 6 months later. A marginal improvement in neurological symptoms was observed with IVIg, m-PSL pulse therapy, and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (IVCY). SCLC also recurred later. We hypothesized that VGCC of the brainstem was damaged by anti-P/Q-type VGCC antibody.