Abstract
Along with myasthenia, other paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) may occur in thymoma. Anti-Hu antibodies and a clinical "anti-Hu syndrome" characterized by encephalitis and/or painful neuropathies have been reported in only three patients at the time of the diagnosis of thymoma. We describe a severe anti-Hu-related autonomic neuropathy with gastrointestinal paresis and intestinal pseudo-obstruction with malabsorption that occurred concomitantly with the worsening of myasthenic symptoms long after the initial diagnosis of thymoma in a young patient. The clinical anti-Hu syndrome preceded the radiological diagnosis of thymoma recurrence. Treatment with plasma exchange led to a transient improvement of neurological symptoms.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antibodies, Neoplasm / blood*
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications*
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / immunology
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / therapy
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ELAV Proteins / immunology*
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Gastrointestinal Tract / physiopathology
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Humans
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Intestinal Obstruction / etiology
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Malabsorption Syndromes / etiology
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Male
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Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
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Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
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Myasthenia Gravis / therapy
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Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / complications*
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Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / immunology
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Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / therapy
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Paresis / complications
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Paresis / etiology
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Plasma Exchange
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Thymoma / complications*
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Thymoma / diagnosis
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Thymoma / immunology
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Thymus Neoplasms / complications*
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Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis
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Thymus Neoplasms / immunology
Substances
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Antibodies, Neoplasm
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ELAV Proteins