OPSOCLONUS–MYOCLONUS SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH BENIGN OVARIAN TERATOMA

Abstract

Opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is characterized by opsoclonus and arrhythmic-action myoclonus that predominantly involves the trunk, limbs, and head.1 Some patients also have cerebellar ataxia with dysarthria and truncal ataxia, and occasionally the level of consciousness may be affected. The syndrome is associated with multiple etiologies, most commonly infection (specifically poliomyelitis, salmonella, coxsackie B3 virus) and underlying neoplasm (classically neuroblastoma in infants, and breast, gynecologic, and lung carcinoma in adults).2 This case study, of a patient with OMS and an underlying benign ovarian teratoma, describes a significant clinical response to removal of the underlying tumor in comparison to a lesser response to immunotherapy alone. ### Case report. The patient, a 15-year-old girl, was well until 4 weeks prior to admission when she developed an upper respiratory tract infection. Two weeks later she experienced nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and unsteadiness on her feet. Her local hospital found mild ataxia and an otherwise normal neurologic examination. Differential white …