Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis—case report and review of literature

• Published in: Age and ageing Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 190 - 193
• Main Authors: Munshi, Sunil K., Thanvi, Bhomraj, Chin, Su Kiun, Hubbard, Irene, Fletcher, Alan, Vallance, Tony R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.03.2005; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Aged; Brain - pathology; Carcinoma, Small Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Small Cell - pathology; Care and treatment; Dementia; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; elderly; Encephalitis; Fatal Outcome; Humans; limbic encephalitis; Limbic Encephalitis - diagnosis; Limbic Encephalitis - pathology; Lung - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Older people; paraneoplastic syndrome; Paraneoplastic syndromes; United States
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afi017

We report a 77-year old man who presented with a sub-acute dementia associated with aggressive behaviour, ataxia, rapid progression and death. No cause for his illness could be detected in his lifetime, but at post mortem he was found to have paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis and a bronchogenic tumour. A diagnosis of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained dementias and appropriate investigations performed to diagnose the condition.