title: A case series of critically ill patients with anti- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.
abstract: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis causes autonomic disturbances, behavioural changes and abnormal movements. It is often a paraneoplastic phenomenon that occurs in association with ovarian teratomas and is the most common paraneoplastic encephalitis. We report nine cases of critically ill patients with anti- NMDA receptor encephalitis from Australia and New Zealand. One patient died and one had a poor neurological recovery. The remaining patients made substantial or complete neurological recoveries. This case series highlights that patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: • often require long periods of support in an intensive care unit; • may develop tracheostomy complications related to hypersalivation; • may develop life-threatening hyperthermia; • can have ovarian teratomas despite normal investigations; and • often have very abnormal movements that are difficult to control and make ongoing care difficult.
authors: Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand. paul.young@ccdhb.org.nz
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Young
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Baker
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Cavazzoni
authors: Simon J
authors: SJ
authors: Erickson
authors: Anand
authors: A
authors: Krishnan
authors: Peter S
authors: PS
authors: Kruger
authors: Alan H
authors: AH
authors: Rashid
authors: Brad A
authors: BA
authors: Wibrow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D060426:Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult