Small cell lung carcinoma presenting with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma associated with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis by a possible paraneoplastic process

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a low-grade, malignant vascular neoplasm that frequently involves the liver, lungs, bone, and soft tissue. Although not commonly associated with a paraneoplastic syndrome, paraneoplastic syndromes in the setting of EHE have been reported. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an acute, autoimmune, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that most commonly occurs after an infection or vaccination. We present the case of a 23 year old female who developed the acute onset of fevers, tremors, right sided hemiplegia, global aphasia, and incontinence of urine and stool. MRI demonstrated findings consistent with a demyelinating disorder and brain biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ADEM. The patient's work up revealed multiple liver lesions which were biopsy proven EHE. This case report discusses the diagnosis and treatment of two concurrent rare disease processes and the possible association of the processes via a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Autoimmune paraneoplastic syndromes associated to lung cancer: A systematic review of the literature: Part 3: Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes, involving the central nervous system

The development of new immune treatment in oncology and particularly for lung cancer may induce new complications, particularly activation or reactivation of auto-immune diseases. In this context, a systematic review on the auto-immune paraneoplastic syndromes that can complicate lung cancer appears useful. This article is the third of a series of five and deals mainly with neurological paraneoplastic syndromes involving the central nervous system.