An Atypical Case of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Predominant Parkinsonism and Persisting Micrographia without Oro-facial Dyskinesia

Intern Med. 2015;54(15):1927-32. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3757. Epub 2015 Aug 1.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 46-year-old man with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis with prominent parkinsonism. The patient presented with psychiatric symptoms followed by epileptic seizure and parkinsonism including micrographia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lesions in the bilateral medial temporal lobes and basal ganglia on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. His symptoms and MRI findings were ameliorated by immunotherapy but then relapsed. After retreatment, his parkinsonism gradually improved except for the micrographia. This is an atypical case of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in that the patient showed prominent and refractory parkinsonism, thus indicating that the clinical diversity of anti-NMDAR encephalitis is greater than expected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / complications*
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / physiopathology*
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / therapy
  • Dyskinesias
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / complications*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / physiopathology*