Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-positive paraneoplastic stiff limb syndrome associated with carcinoma of the breast

Neurol India. 2010 May-Jun;58(3):449-51. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.65704.

Abstract

Stiff limb syndrome (SLS) is a rare "focal" variant of stiff person syndrome which presents with rigidity and painful spasms of a distal limb, and abnormal fixed foot or hand postures. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-Ab) are variably present in most cases. Most reported cases of SLS are unassociated with cancer. We describe a patient with SLS as a paraneoplastic manifestation of breast carcinoma, in whom GAD-Ab was present. The patient responded very well to oral diazepam, baclofen and steroids.This is the third reported case of SLS as a paraneoplastic accompaniment to cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Carcinoma* / complications
  • Carcinoma* / immunology
  • Female
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraneoplastic Polyneuropathy / complications
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome* / complications
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome* / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase