1. Stiff person spectrum disorders: An illustrative case series of their phenotypic and antibody diversity.
- Author
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Bernardo, Francisco, Rebordão, Leonor, Rêgo, André, Machado, Sara, Passos, João, Costa, Cristina, Cruz, Simão, Pinto, Amélia Nogueira, and Santos, Mariana
- Subjects
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ANTIBODY diversity , *DISEASES , *BLEPHAROPTOSIS , *ENCEPHALOMYELITIS , *IMMUNOGLOBULINS - Abstract
Stiff person spectrum disorders (SPSD) are a broad group of immune-mediated disorders. Clinical presentations include classical stiff person syndrome (SPS), focal SPS, and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). The most frequently associated antibodies are anti-GAD65, anti-GlyR, anti-amphiphysin, and anti-DPPX. Immunotherapy is the primary treatment modality. We present an illustrative case series of three patients: anti-GlyR antibody-mediated PERM presenting as rapidly progressive dementia; anti-amphiphysin antibody-mediated SPS; and SPS presentation with anti-Zic4 antibodies, spasmodic laryngeal stridor and fluctuating eyelid ptosis. Clinical characteristics, CSF findings, neurophysiological features, adequate immunological assays and a high suspicion index are essential for prompt diagnosis and management. Unlabelled Image • Stiff person spectrum disorders (SPSD) are uncommon immune-mediated conditions. • The extent of SPSD phenotypic and antibody heterogeneity is not fully known. • We report anti-GlyR, anti-amphiphysin, and anti-Zic4 antibody-mediated SPSD cases. • This is the first report of anti-Zic4 antibody-mediated SPSD. • High index of suspicion is essential for prompt diagnosis of SPSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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