Ictal Iaryngospasm as a main feature in a patient with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis / 中国综合临床

ABSTRACT

Anti-N-methyl-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDARE) is a rare autoimmune panencephalitis. We report the case of a patient with anti-NMDARE with severe ictal laryngospasm. A 17-year old boy was referred to our neurological intensive care unit for refractory behavioural symptoms and cognitive decline. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Screening for antineuronal antibodies showed positive results for anti-NMDA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid,which confirmed the diagnosis of anti-NMDARE. During his admission,he developed severe ictal laryngospasm resulting in intubation, tracheostomy, and repeated courses of intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone. The patient then made an uneventful recovery and was discharged to outpatient follow-up. Our report intends to raise awareness that patients with anti-NMDARE may manifest fatal ictal laryngospasm,requiring urgent and aggressive management.