Paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy in a patient with advanced esophageal cancer: An autopsied case report

J Neurol Sci. 2009 May 15;280(1-2):113-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.02.324. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

We report the first autopsied case of paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy associated with esophageal cancer in the literature. The patient had acute flaccid paraplegia and urinary retention, and had a good recovery of strength of both legs in response to corticosteroids. MRI showed a characteristic lesion with post-gadolinium enhancement of the cervical to mid-thoracic spinal cord at the onset, which has never been reported. Taken together, these results suggest that there is an underlying autoimmune mechanism in paraneoplastic necrotizing myelopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Esophagus / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Necrosis
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / complications*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / diagnosis
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae