Fatal encephalitis in a patient with refractory celiac disease presenting with myorhythmia and carpal spasm.
We report the case of a woman with refractory celiac disease who developed abnormal spontaneous movements of the extremities and face consistent with myorhythmia. Investigation led to a diagnosis of encephalitis, confirmed by postmortem examination. The movements were likely caused by nonparaneoplastic encephalitis associated with refractory celiac disease. Etiologic and diagnostic considerations and treatment options are discussed.
Dimberg
Elliot L
EL
Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
Crowe
Sheila E
SE
Trugman
Joel M
JM
Swerdlow
Russell H
RH
Lopes
M Beatriz
MB
Bourne
T David
TD
Burns
Ted M
TM
D000368:Aged; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology