All issues > Volume 53(4); 2010

Case Report

Korean J Pediatr. 2010;53(4):603-606. Published online April 15, 2010.

A case of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis due to ovarian mature teratoma

Seong Heon SH Kim¹, hye Young hY Kim¹, Young Tak YT Im¹, Sang Ook SO Nam¹, Young Mi YM Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Correspondence Young Mi YM Kim ,Email: pink2129@naver.com

Abstract

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, a remote effect of cancer without nervous system metastasis, is rare, especially in childhood. Here, we report a case of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with an ovarian mature teratoma in an adolescent girl. The 15-year-old girl developed neuropsychiatric symptoms, memory loss, seizures, and unconsciousness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were normal, while single photon emission computed tomography imaging showed hypoperfusion in both temporal lobes. Ultrasound and MRI of the abdomen revealed a left ovarian cystic mass. The patient experienced a significant recovery of cognitive function after surgical resection of the tumor, which was pathologically identified as a mature ovarian teratoma, and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Keywords :Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, Teratoma, Adolescent