An anesthetic experience of a patient with paraneoplastic encephalitis: A case report

ABSTRACT

Paraneoplastic encephalitis associated with an ovarian teratoma has been related to the development of antibodies to specific heteromers of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). The disorder, known as anti-NMDAR encephalitis, is characterized by psychiatric symptoms, seizures, mood and behavioral changes as well as involuntary movement. Since the NMDAR is the target of many anesthetic drugs, the presence of anti-NMDAR antibodies might influence the requirements of anesthetics or their effects. We report the presentation and anesthetic experience of a young patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis undergoing surgical excision of two ovarian teratomas, and we also review the relevant literature.