Neuromyotonia, myocloni, sensory neuropathy and cerebellar symptoms in a patient with antibodies to neuronal nucleoproteins (anti-Hu-antibodies)

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 1999 Sep;101(3):207-9. doi: 10.1016/s0303-8467(99)00037-2.

Abstract

A middle-aged patient presented with subacute muscular stiffness, myocloni of both extremity and facial muscles, gait ataxia and symmetrical distal painful paraesthesias. Electrophysiologically, neuromyotonia was confirmed. High titer anti-Hu antibodies were detected, but no other paraneoplastic antibodies were found. Small-cell lung cancer was diagnosed. Under chemotherapy tumor remission was achieved and, except for minor sensory deficits, neurological symptoms disappeared. This report shows that paraneoplastic syndromes associated with antibodies to neuronal nucleoproteins (anti-Hu antibodies) may be associated with a syndrome including neuromyotonia, sensory neuropathy, cerebellar symptoms and myocloni.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / immunology
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Gait Ataxia / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myoclonus / immunology
  • Myotonia / immunology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / immunology*
  • Polyneuropathies / immunology
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / blood*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins