Multiple paraneoplastic diseases associated with thymoma.

Abstract

Here we report a patient with a lymphoepithelial thymoma who developed in chronological sequence limbic encephalitis, neuromyotonia and myasthenia gravis. The patient presented with limbic encephalitis associated with an invasive thymoma and improved after surgery and cytotoxic therapy. Two months after thymectomy, neuromyotonia associated with hyperhidrosis and mild motor neuropathy occurred and the patient was given plasma-exchange and prednisone therapy. Five months later he developed mild generalised myasthenia gravis. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, previously repeatedly negative, were found positive at the onset of clinical signs of myasthenia gravis.

• Authors: A Evoli, M Lo Monaco, R Marra, M M Lino, A P Batocchi, P A Tonali
• Journal: Neuromuscular disorders : NMD (Neuromuscul Disord) Vol. 9 Issue 8 Pg. 601-3 (Dec 1999) ISSN: 0960-8966 [Print] England
• PMID: 10619720 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Encephalitis (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Isaacs Syndrome (etiology)
• Limbic System
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Myasthenia Gravis (etiology)
• Paraneoplastic Syndromes (etiology)
• Thymectomy
• Thymoma (complications, drug therapy, surgery)
• Thymus Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy, surgery)