Acute Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis in a Patient With Anti-Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated 1 (LGI1) Limbic Encephalitis

Cureus. 2024 Dec 10;16(12):e75475. doi: 10.7759/cureus.75475. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Autoimmune encephalitis is a disorder characterized by an autoantibody-mediated process that leads to brain inflammation. It is associated with neurological symptoms including cognitive issues, psychiatric problems, seizures, and autonomic dysfunctions. Anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 limbic encephalitis (anti-LGI1 LE) is a rare type of autoimmune LE with a unique presentation, comprising neuropsychiatric disturbances, sleep disorders, and faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS). While the involvement of the larynx is seen in various other autoimmune and neurological diseases, it is not a known issue with anti-LGI1 LE. The purpose of this case report is to highlight an atypical symptom - acute bilateral vocal cord failure - that unexpectedly occurred in a patient with anti-LGI1 LE.

Keywords: anti-lgi1 le; anti-lgi1 limbic encephalitis; autoimmune neurologic disorder; lgi-1; lgi1 antibody autoimmune encephalitis; limbic encephalitis; stridor; vocal cord dysfunction; vocal cord failure; vocal cord paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports