Open AccessIs peripheral paraneoplastic neurological syndrome possible in primary brain tumors?
Author(s) -
Koszewicz Magdalena,
Michalak Slawomir,
Bilinska Malgorzata,
Budrewicz Slawomir,
Zaborowski Mikolaj,
Slotwinski Krzysztof,
Podemski Ryszard,
Ejma Maria
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.465
Subject(s) - medicine , peripheral nervous system , pathology , nerve conduction velocity , peripheral , antibody , peripheral neuropathy , autoimmunity , nervous system , immune system , brachial plexus , immunology , central nervous system , surgery , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , psychiatry
Systemic malignant diseases cause the induction of autoimmunity, for example, paraneoplastic syndromes. There are no proofs of paraneoplastic syndromes in primary brain tumors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the involvement of the peripheral nervous system, together with an assessment of onconeuronal and antineural antibodies as indicators of humoral immune response against nervous system in patients with primary brain tumors. Materials and Methods Clinical examinations, electrophysiological studies of peripheral nerves (motor and sensory conduction velocity studies, conduction velocity distribution tests, thermal and vibratory quantitative sensory tests, and sympathetic skin response tests) and muscles, blood sampling collection (assessment of onconeuronal, and antineural antibodies) were performed on 33 patients with newly recognized primary brain tumors within 2–4 days after their admission to our department. Results We revealed statistically significant changes of peripheral nerves, more pronounced in the peroneal nerve in standard and conduction velocity distribution tests, as well as in sympathetic skin responses. We revealed significantly higher vibratory thresholds, and pain thresholds for cold and warm in the upper and lower limbs in the study group than in the controls. In five patients, we have identified anti‐neuroendothelium, anti‐ GFAP , anti‐ MAG , anti‐ PCNA , and anti‐Ro52 antibodies. Conclusions In patients with primary brain tumors, electrophysiological changes in peripheral nerves, together with the presence of the antineural antibodies suggest an autoimmune humoral response, and make the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome possible.