Abstract

RESTREPO BERNAL, Diana  and  CARDENO CASTRO, Carlos A.. Limbic Encephalitis in a 41 Year-Old Female with a Mediastinal Mass and Behavior Changes. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2009, vol.38, n.2, pp.367-378. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a rare syndrome that causes neuropsychiatric symptoms and in some cases rapidly progressive dementia. Objective: To discuss the clinical course of a patient with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with thymoma. Method: Case report. Results: We report a 41 year-old female who had weight loss, chronic cough and diarrhea for eight months associated with Good´s syndrome and behavioral changes and progressive loss of memory from paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. Despite surgical treatment, steroids and gammaglobulin, the patient presented progressive clinical deterioration and died. Conclusions: Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis may cause neuropsychiatric disturbances and rapidly progressive dementia. It is important for liaison psychiatrists to know the clinical features of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis thus ensuring early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Keywords : Limbic encephalitis; thymoma; affective symptoms.

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