Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report
Purpose: The aim of this article is to illustrate the diagnostic challenges and management of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes in Merkel cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We describe a previously functionally independent 85-year-old woman who presented with subacute onset of dizziness and...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Karger Publishers
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/479731 |
| _version_ | 1811225300218937344 |
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| author | Angelos Sharobeam Jason Ray Juliana Dong Victor Chong |
| author_facet | Angelos Sharobeam Jason Ray Juliana Dong Victor Chong |
| author_sort | Angelos Sharobeam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: The aim of this article is to illustrate the diagnostic challenges and management of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes in Merkel cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We describe a previously functionally independent 85-year-old woman who presented with subacute onset of dizziness and gait ataxia in the setting of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Results: Diagnosis was made on biopsy after positron emission tomography imaging revealed increased metabolic activity in 2 left inguinofemoral lymph nodes. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for anti-Hu on subsequent admission. Her functional status improved with methylprednisolone treatment and radiotherapy. Conclusion: The case highlights the challenge of the evaluation of patients who present with progressive cerebellar signs and the need to consider a paraneoplastic syndrome, especially in the setting of previous malignancy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:04:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3486367309c04c0cbe0badb552ce1de6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-6575 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:04:38Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | Karger Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3486367309c04c0cbe0badb552ce1de62022-12-22T03:39:07ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Oncology1662-65752017-08-0110276476810.1159/000479731479731Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case ReportAngelos SharobeamJason RayJuliana DongVictor ChongPurpose: The aim of this article is to illustrate the diagnostic challenges and management of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes in Merkel cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We describe a previously functionally independent 85-year-old woman who presented with subacute onset of dizziness and gait ataxia in the setting of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. Results: Diagnosis was made on biopsy after positron emission tomography imaging revealed increased metabolic activity in 2 left inguinofemoral lymph nodes. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for anti-Hu on subsequent admission. Her functional status improved with methylprednisolone treatment and radiotherapy. Conclusion: The case highlights the challenge of the evaluation of patients who present with progressive cerebellar signs and the need to consider a paraneoplastic syndrome, especially in the setting of previous malignancy.http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/479731Subacute cerebellar degenerationMerkel cell carcinomaMetastasisParaneoplastic phenomenon |
| spellingShingle | Angelos Sharobeam Jason Ray Juliana Dong Victor Chong Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report Case Reports in Oncology Subacute cerebellar degeneration Merkel cell carcinoma Metastasis Paraneoplastic phenomenon |
| title | Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report |
| title_full | Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report |
| title_short | Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration due to a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon Associated with Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report |
| title_sort | subacute cerebellar degeneration due to a paraneoplastic phenomenon associated with metastatic merkel cell carcinoma a case report |
| topic | Subacute cerebellar degeneration Merkel cell carcinoma Metastasis Paraneoplastic phenomenon |
| url | http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/479731 |
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