Cerebellar ataxia in non-paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome

J Neurol Sci. 2008 Jul 15;270(1-2):194-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.02.004. Epub 2008 Mar 28.

Abstract

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an immune-mediated disorder of the neuromuscular junction that rarely is associated with cerebellar ataxia (CA). We describe two patients with non-paraneoplastic LEMS associated with CA who showed high levels of anti-P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels antibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and reduced CMAP with increment after brief maximum voluntary contraction in electrophysiological studies. We suggest that LEMS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with CA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Adult
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Calcium Channels / immunology
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / blood
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / complications*
  • Cerebellar Ataxia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / blood
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / complications*
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / blood
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / complications

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Calcium Channels
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous