[Sudden death occurring after anti-Hu associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and dysautonomia revealing a small cell lung carcinoma].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Paraneoplastic syndromes are a rare cancer complication with a frequent subacute evolution.

OBSERVATION:

A 62-year-old man was admitted presenting with a cerebellar syndrome and orthostatic hypotension with dysautonomia. Anti-Hu antibody research was positive. A subcarinal adenopathy biopsy found out a small cell lung carcinoma. Despite a treatment with immunoglobulin and chemotherapy, the patient died suddenly, after a raise of dysautonomia symptoms.

CONCLUSION:

Sudden death observations represent exceptional complications of paraneoplastic syndrome. They might be secondary to arrhythmias, ictal asystol or laryngospasm. Systematic research of paroxystic heart arrhythmias with holter-ECG in paraneoplastic syndrome may prevent sudden deaths.

• Authors: A Mirouse, D Gobert, J-M Chamouard, L Iordache, A Mekinian, O Fain
• Journal: La Revue de medecine interne (Rev Med Interne) Vol. 35 Issue 11 Pg. 757-9 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1768-3122 [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Mort subite au cours d'une dégénérescence cérébelleuse subaiguë paranéoplasique avec dysautonomie associée aux anticorps anti-Hu révélant un cancer bronchique à petites cellules.
• PMID: 24411475 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Société nationale française de médecine interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• ELAV Proteins

Topics

• Antibodies (blood)
• Death, Sudden (etiology)
• ELAV Proteins (immunology)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (etiology)
• Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System (etiology)
• Shy-Drager Syndrome (etiology)
• Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (diagnosis)