Autoimmune encephalitis linked with ovarian mature teratoma at a young woman- case report

A. Boiangiu, C. Vladu, N. Clim, S. Vladareanu, A. Filipescu

Rezumat: Anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune antibody-mediated neuropsychiatric disorder known to be associated with ovarian teratoma and predominantly affecting young women. We report the case of a young woman who developed acute psychiatriac symptoms, scizure, memory deficits, decreased level of consciousness, and central hypoventilation associated with ovarian teratoma (OT) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory abnormalities. The ovarectomy let to a remarkable improvement. Anti-NMDA receptor antibodies were detectable in the serum and in the CSF. In cases of encephalitis associated with an ovarian teratoma, histology often shows an intense WBC infiltrate in areas of the teratoma with neural tissue. Ovarian tumor search and diagnosis are extremely important in patients presenting with neuropsychiatric disorder and a explorative laparoscopy/laparotomy and ovarectomy are justified. Prompt diagnosis and removal of the tumor are important for improving prognosis and preventing long-term neurologic sequelae.
Cuvinte cheie: encephalitis, anti-NMDA receptor, ovarian teratoma.