title: Neuroepidemiologic trends in 105 US cases of pediatric opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.
abstract: Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare, autoimmune neurological disorder that is poorly recognized and undertreated. Neuroblastoma is found in one half of the cases. Because of the high incidence of spontaneous regression of neuroblastoma, it is unknown whether not finding a tumor means there was none. To define demographic trends and the standard of care in the first large series of OMS, 105 children were recruited over a 13-year period in a retrospective questionnaire survey. Children with and without a tumor differed little in viral-like prodrome and neurological symptoms. Earliest neurological symptoms were staggering and falling, leading to a misdiagnosis of acute cerebellitis. Later symptoms included body jerks, drooling, refusal to walk or sit, speech problems, decreased muscle tone, opsoclonus, and inability to sleep. Tumor resection alone did not provide adequate therapy for most. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prednisone, and intravenous immunoglobulin were used with equal frequency, but ACTH was associated with the best early response. More than one half of the children had relapses. Residual behavioral, language, and cognitive problems occurred in the majority. The delay in diagnosis (11 weeks) and initiation of treatment (17 weeks) is unacceptably long.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, PO Box 19643, Springfield, IL 62794-9643, USA. etate@siumed.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Tyler J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pranzatelli
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Verhulst
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017668:Age of Onset; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000209:etiology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011241:Prednisone