Observations placeholder
Encephalitis and potassium deficiency
Identifier
006293
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2012;156(16):A4455. [Autoimmune limbic encephalitis: importance of early diagnosis and treatment]. [Article in Dutch] van Vliet J, Meulstee J, Hartong EG, Mulleners WM. Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, Afd. Neurologie, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. j.v.vliet@cwz.nl
BACKGROUND: Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is a rare disorder, characterised by the subacute onset of seizures, short-term memory loss, and psychiatric and behavioural symptoms. Initially, it was recognised as a paraneoplastic disorder, but recently a subgroup of patients without systemic cancer was identified. This type of limbic encephalitis is associated with voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies.
CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 69-year-old man with anti-VGKC limbic encephalitis suffering from generalised tonic-clonic seizures, severe insomnia, increasing memory deficits, visual hallucinations and depression. We also describe a 22-year-old woman, suffering from complex partial seizures and dysphasia, and displaying inappropriate behaviour. She was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR limbic encephalitis. Both showed marked improvement after starting prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.
CONCLUSION: These case descriptions emphasise the importance of timely recognition of autoimmune limbic encephalitis in order to rule out malignancy and to quickly initiate treatment. This potentially life-threatening disease responds well to immunomodulatory therapy.
PMID: 22510418