title: Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in a male with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare syndrome characterized by memory impairment, symptoms of hypothalamic dysfunction, and seizures. It commonly precedes the diagnosis of cancer. Small-cell lung cancer is the neoplasm that is most frequently reported as the etiology underlying PLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report describes a male patient who presented with neurologic symptoms consistent with anterograde amnesia, apathy, and disorientation. MRI revealed diffuse hyperintensities located predominantly in the medial bitemporal lobes, basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and leptomeninges on fluid attenuated inversion recovery images, suggesting PLE. Study of the primary tumor revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, which resulted in his neurologic symptoms gradually improving.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLE might be a rare debut of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Treatment of the primary tumor may improve the neurologic symptoms.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Girona, Spain.
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Sauri
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Girona, Spain. ; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGi), Girona, Spain. ; Cancer Registry of Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors: Àngel
authors: À
authors: Izquierdo
authors: Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGi), Girona, Spain. ; Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain. ; Department of Neurology, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, Girona, Spain.
authors: LLuis
authors: L
authors: Ramió-Torrentà
authors: Department of Neuroradiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Àngel
authors: À
authors: Sanchez-Montañez
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Girona, Spain. ; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGi), Girona, Spain. ; Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors: Joaquim
authors: J
authors: Bosch-Barrera
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Girona, Spain. ; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGi), Girona, Spain. ; Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors: Rut
authors: R
authors: Porta
keywords: limbic encephalitis; lung cancer; paraneoplastic syndrome; squamous cell carcinoma
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