Keywords
Ovarian Teratoma
Autoimmune Encephalitis
Hispanics
Anti-NMDA
Anti-NR1
Autoimmune Encephalitis
Hispanics
Anti-NMDA
Anti-NR1
How to Cite
Muñoz-Becerra, V., Méndez, K., Cabrera-Martínez, H. A., & García-Irizarry, A. N. (2024). Small Ovarian Teratoma Causes Anti-N-methyl- D-aspartate Encephalitis. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 43(4), 230–231. Retrieved from https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/3235
Abstract
This is the case of a 22-year-old female who arrived at our institution after experiencing refractory insomnia, disorganized behavior, inappropriate laughter, and anorexia. Upon admission, a physical examination revealed mutism, irritability, and visual hallucinations. Infectious, metabolic, and other, alternative, causes for the presenting symptoms were excluded. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and chest and abdominopelvic computed tomography scan results showed no evidence of pathology. Due to there being a high clinical suspicion of paraneoplastic encephalitis, treatment was initiated with intravenous (IV) high-dose steroids and IV immunoglobulins. An endovaginal ultrasound was performed, which revealed a small atypical intraovarian dermoid cyst. The patient’s laboratory tests were positive for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate antibodies within her cerebrospinal fluid. A laparoscopic right partial salpingectomy and an oophorectomy were performed on day 25, after the symptoms developed further. Histopathology confirmed the presence of a mature teratoma within the right ovary. After surgery, she returned to her baseline mental status, with no further complications.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).