Brachial Diparesis due to Motor Neuronopathy as One of the Predominant Presenting Signs of Occult Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

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ERDENER Ş. E., VURAL A., TEMUÇİN Ç. M., Ozdamar S. E., NURLU G., VARLI K., ...More

INTERNAL MEDICINE, vol.55, no.12, pp.1641-1643, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 55 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.4888
  • Journal Name: INTERNAL MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1641-1643
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Sensory neuronopathy is a well-established presentation in paraneoplastic neurological syndromes that is mostly associated with small cell lung cancer and anti-Hu antibodies. Motor neuronopathy, on the other hand, is an extremely rare observation in this syndrome. A 56-year-old man presented with asymmetric brachial diparesis and sensory ataxia. Electrophysiological studies revealed sensory ganglionopathy and progressive anterior horn degeneration in cervical segments. Small cell lung carcinoma with associated anti-Hu antibodies was later diagnosed. The patient did not improve despite the administration of steroids and chemotherapy. Paraneoplastic syndromes may exceptionally present with a bilateral arm weakness. Cases accompanied by sensory ganglionopathy should therefore be promptly investigated for any underlying malignancy.