Confusion, Faciobrachial Dystonic Seizures, and Critical Hyponatremia in a Patient with Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Encephalitis.
10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.2.99
- Author:
Julian YAXLEY
1
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Redcliffe Hospital, Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia. julianyaxley@yahoo.com.au
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Seizure;
Dystonia;
Encephalitis;
Hyponatremia
- MeSH:
Aged;
Brain Diseases;
Dystonia;
Encephalitis*;
Humans;
Hyponatremia*;
Limbic Encephalitis;
Natural History;
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated*;
Seizures*
- From:Korean Journal of Family Medicine
2017;38(2):99-101
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is a rare cause of encephalitic disease. It is associated with various target antigens and is difficult to diagnose, and experience with its treatment is limited. This case report describes a 69-year-old man, who presented with life-threatening hyponatremia and confusion, following several months of gradually worsening faciobrachial dystonic seizures. Faciobrachial dystonic seizures are a well-described feature classically observed in voltage-gated potassium channel autoimmune encephalitis. The presence of chronic hyponatremia without cognitive dysfunction, eventually culminating in an acute episode of encephalopathy and severe hyponatremia, is a pattern of natural history not previously documented in this condition.