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Calcium channel autoimmunity: Cerebellar ataxia and lambert‐eaton syndrome coexisting
Author(s) -
Zalewski Nicholas,
Len Vanda A.,
Pittock Sean J.,
Mckeon Andrew
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.26053
Subject(s) - lambert eaton myasthenic syndrome , cerebellar ataxia , ataxia , paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration , medicine , channelopathy , weakness , immunology , autoantibody , surgery , myasthenia gravis , antibody , psychiatry
: Neuronal calcium channel antibodies are a biomarker of Lambert‐Eaton syndrome (LES) and cerebellar ataxia. We have encountered several patients with LES and cerebellar ataxia coexisting, and we sought to further define this association. Methods : We reviewed records of patients at our institution with a diagnosis of “Lambert‐Eaton syndrome” and “cerebellar ataxia.” Results : Seventeen patients were identified with LES and ataxia. Presenting symptoms were weakness (8), concurrent weakness and ataxia (4), ataxia (4), and other (1). Nine patients had small‐cell lung carcinoma, 3 of whom had survival greater than 100 months. Immunotherapy responses were best among patients without cancer. Nine of 17 (53%) patients were alive at last follow‐up (median survival 62 months; range, 8–240). Discussion : Calcium channel autoimmunity should be considered in patients with coexisting cerebellar ataxia and myasthenic weakness. Affected patients may survive small‐cell carcinoma or have immunotherapy‐responsive neurological symptoms. Muscle Nerve 58 : 29–35, 2018