Non-paraneoplastic voltage-gated calcium channels antibody-mediated cerebellar ataxia responsive to IVIG treatment.
Non-paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia associated with voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies is a rare entity with only few cases reported in literature. We describe a 60 year-old man with subacute cerebellar ataxia and subclinical Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in whom VGCC antibodies were detected at high titer in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Screening for underlying malignancies was negative. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment led to the improvement of clinical picture and reduction of serum antibody titer over a 13-month follow-up period. We emphasize that VGCC antibodies should be included in the diagnostic work-up of patients with subacute cerebellar ataxia and that treatment with IVIG can improve the clinical picture and prevent disability.
Department of Neurology, "Alessandro Manzoni" General Hospital, Via Dell'Eremo 9/11, 23900 Lecco, Italy. Electronic address: rig74@libero.it.
Andrea
A
Rigamonti
Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, via Celoria, 11, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Lauria
Department of Neurology, "Alessandro Manzoni" General Hospital, Via Dell'Eremo 9/11, 23900 Lecco, Italy.
Lorenzo
L
Stanzani
Department of Neurology, "Alessandro Manzoni" General Hospital, Via Dell'Eremo 9/11, 23900 Lecco, Italy.
Vittorio
V
Mantero
Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, via Celoria, 11, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Francesca
F
Andreetta
Department of Neurology, "Alessandro Manzoni" General Hospital, Via Dell'Eremo 9/11, 23900 Lecco, Italy.
Andrea
A
Salmaggi
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000097:blood*; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015624:Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015220:Calcium Channels; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
Antibodies; Cerebellar ataxia; Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome; Intravenous immunoglobulin; Voltage-gated calcium channels; immuno-mediated ataxia