BACKGROUND: Antibodies to neuronal extracellular membrane antigens, including the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, have been associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms. In 2003, the first case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis was identified in a young woman with subacute onset of ehavioural changes and seizures.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case report is to describe the clinical features, disease course and management of a documented case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in the Philippines. It also aims to highlight a unique feature of the disease as seen in the patient.
CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient is a 36-year-old female with no known co-morbidities presenting with subacute onset of ehavioural change and generalized seizures. She was initially worked-up for viral encephalitis but the diagnostic tests were negative. With a suspicion of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a search was made for the presence of a teratoma. This was confirmed by imaging studies and subsequent surgical resection of an immature mesenteric teratoma was done. Immunohistochemical assay of both blood and CSF were positive for NMDAR antibodies.
CONCLUSION: This is the first confirmed case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis reported in the Philippines. It has the unique feature of being associated with an immature mesenteric teratoma, a finding that has not been reported in literature. The possibility of anti-NMDAR encephalitis need to be considered among patients with subacute onset of ehavioural changes and seizures when usual diagnostic tests for the more common etiologies prove negative.