Paraneoplastic optic neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia with small cell carcinoma of the lung

J Neuroophthalmol. 2001 Sep;21(3):164-7. doi: 10.1097/00041327-200109000-00002.

Abstract

Bilateral optic neuropathy and subacute cerebellar ataxia were manifestations of a paraneoplastic neurologic disorder in a woman found to have small cell carcinoma of the lung. Serologic tests revealed a neuronal autoantibody specific for CRMP-5, a 62-kd member of the collapsin response-mediating protein family. Unexplained optic neuropathy in the setting of subacute cerebellar ataxia should cause suspicion of a paraneoplastic disorder and prompt testing for this autoantibody, especially in patients at risk for lung carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / blood
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / etiology
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / immunology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / etiology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / immunology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins