title: Autoimmune neurological syndromes associated limbic encephalitis and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autoimmune neurological syndrome is a group of disorders caused by cancer affecting nervous system by different immunological mechanisms. In this study, we aim to study the clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, autoantibody tests, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs and treatment outcome of patients with autoimmune syndromes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 7 patients (4 male, 3 female) diagnosed with autoimmune neurological syndrome were retrospectively examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five of patients were diagnosed with limbic encephalitis, two of them were paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Confusion and seizure were the most seen symptoms. Two patients had psychiatric disturbances (28,5%) followed by seizure. Headache was seen in 2 patients (% 28,5), disartria in 1 patient (% 14,2), and gait disorder in 2 patients (28,5%). The duration of symptoms was 46 (3-150) days on average. CSF abnormalities were detected in 2 patients. CT and MRI of the brain was available in all patients. Five patients had involvement of mesiotemporal region, two patients had diffuse cerebellar atrophy. One of patients had anti-GABAR B1 positivity. Tumors were detected in 2 patients while investigation for paraneoplasia screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remission is only possible with the detection and treatment of the malignancy. Early diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance.
authors: Department of Neurology, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey. Electronic address: zozozen@hotmail.com.
authors: Zeynep Özözen
authors: ZÖ
authors: Ayas
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors: Dilcan
authors: D
authors: Kotan
authors: Department of Neurology, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors: Yeşim Güzey
authors: YG
authors: Aras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020363:Limbic Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020362:Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Autoimmune neurological syndromes; Limbic encephalitis; Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration