title: Autoantibody-associated sensory neuronopathy and intestinal pseudo-obstruction without detectable neoplasia.
abstract: A 60-year-old patient presenting with the typical features of progressive sensory neuronopathy and subsequent intestinal pseudo-obstruction was found to have antineuronal nuclear antibodies (ANNA-I or Anti-Hu). These findings were suggestive of a paraneoplastic syndrome, but neither clinically nor at autopsy could a neoplasm be detected. Neuropathological findings were identical with those known for carcinoma-associated forms with marked neuron loss of spinal sensory ganglia and myenteric plexus. Therefore, ANNA-I and intestinal pseudo-obstruction may in rare cases occur without detectable underlying cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Berne, Inselspital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Briellmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sturzenegger
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schaffner
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies