Probably anti-Tr associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration as initial presentation of a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2006 Jun;108(4):415-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2005.01.008.

Abstract

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is the most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome affecting the brain. Until now, anti-Tr associated PCD was only seen in patients with Hodgkin's disease. We report a male patient who presented with a progressive ataxia, affecting predominantly the lower limbs and a cerebellar dysarthria. Extensive diagnostic approach initially showed no evidence of tumor. The patient was found to have anti-Tr antibodies in his serum. Fourteen months after onset of symptoms a whole body PET-scan showed a pathological focus at the right hilus of the lungs. A mediastinoscopy was performed and peribronchial node sampling was done. The anatomopathological analysis revealed a non-well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report about the association between an anti-Tr associated PCD and squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology*
  • Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • CDR2 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins