Orthostatic hypotension secondary to CRMP-5 paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy

Abstract

The collapsin response mediator protein 5 (CRMP-5) autoantibody is one of only several paraneoplastic antibodies associated with autonomic neuropathy. Such paraneoplastic neuropathies manifest with a constellation of autonomic abnormalities. We present a unique case of orthostatic hypotension as the sole feature of a CRMP-5 paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy in a patient with small cell lung cancer. Given the poor prognosis of paraneoplastic autonomic dysfunction, it is important to accurately diagnose the cause of orthostatic hypotension occurring on a background of malignancy.