NMDA Receptor Encephalitis With Severe Orofacial Dyskinesias Treated With Tramadol and Clonazepam

Abstract

Objective N/A. Background Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a neuroinflammatory disease mediated by antibodies targeting the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR. It presents with well-defined neuropsychiatric symptoms, including psychosis, agitation, seizures, and memory disturbances.1 Movement disorders including orofacial dyskinesias are common, but often difficult to manage, with no specific published guidelines.1,2,3 Design/Methods A 23-year-old female was diagnosed with NMDAR encephalitis. She was treated with ovarian teratoma removal, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, rituximab, and tocilizumab. She continued to experience severe, self-mutilating orofacial dyskinesias. Tetrabenazine, haloperidol, and diazepam did not yield any sustained improvement. Tramadol was started based on prior case reports suggesting its efficacy as well as clonazepam.3 Results Tramadol 50 mg po q6h led to immediate improvement in symptoms. Over the next 5 days, tramadol was increased to 150 mg NG q6h and further reduced movements. When tramadol was held for one day, the movements significantly worsened and improved when it was restarted. Clonazepam 1 mg NG QID also led to further improvement. Conclusions Tramadol and clonazepam effectively treated severe orofacial dyskinesias in a patient with NMDAR encephalitis and refractory symptoms despite aggressive management. We propose early use of tramadol and clonazepam be considered for severe orofacial dyskinesias secondary to NMDAR encephalitis.