title: Anti-ma2 paraneoplastic encephalitis in association with recurrent cervical cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are rare, and although they are frequently associated with gynecological malignancies, cervical cancer is a rare cause. The symptoms of anti-Ma2 encephalitis are diverse and often present prior to the diagnosis of malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with a history of cervical cancer presenting with unexplained weight gain and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed lesions within the bilateral hypothalami and midbrain. Anti-Ma2 antibodies were eventually found in the serum, prompting a search for malignancy. Recurrent metastatic cervical cancer was found in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report of cervical cancer in association with anti-Ma2 encephalitis, and highlights the need for a high degree of suspicion in patients with a cancer history presenting with neurological symptoms. The symptoms associated with anti-Ma2 encephalitis are diverse and typically precede the diagnosis of cancer in patients, and should trigger a search for an underlying malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ney
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Wells
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Messersmith
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Behbakht
keywords: anti-Ma2 encephalitis; cervical cancer; paraneoplastic syndromes