Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis in a Young Woman with Ovarian Teratoma

Giulia Magoga,Enrico Busato,Giuseppa Corrao,Antonella De Virgilio,Irene Pascoli

doi:10.21767/2471-8041.100115

Abstract

Background: Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor encephalitis is a common cause of autoimmune encephalitis, usually associated with ovarian teratoma, especially in young women. It’s important to recognize quickly this type of encephalitis in order to give the patient the better chance to recover. Case: We report a typical case of anti-NMDA encephalitis associated to ovarian dermoid in a young woman. Neurological assessment revealed the presence of anti- NMDA autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and TC abdomen revealed the presence of an ovarian dermoid. Surgery to remove the mass was performed and immunotherapy was started. Now she’s doing well, and she only has a little memory deficit. Conclusion: Ovarian dermoid is common, instead enchephatis is a rare entity, so further investigations is needed to know more about this specific type of ovarian dermoid.

Highlights

Symptoms of anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor encephalitis were described for the first time by Vitalini et al in 2005 [1]
In this manuscript we present a characteristic case of anti NMDA encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma in a white woman, aged 23
We have described a characteristic case of anti-NDMA encephalitis, associated with ovarian dermoid in a young woman

Summary

Introduction

Symptoms of anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor encephalitis were described for the first time by Vitalini et al in 2005 [1]. They described four cases of psychiatric disorders, memory loss and a decrease of level of consciousness associated with ovarian teratoma [1]. Case: We report a typical case of anti-NMDA encephalitis associated to ovarian dermoid in a young woman. We report a case of anti-NMDA encephalitis in a woman of 23 years associated with mature cystic teratoma, that is the most common type of ovarian germ cell tumours in young women between 20 and 30 years old [4]

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