Immunofluorescent analysis of antibodies against neurons in the case of paraneoplastic syndrome

The authors report clinical and neuropathological findings especially immunofluorescent detection of antineuronal antibodies in the case of paraneoplastic syndrome in course of the small-cell lung carcinoma. The clinical symptoms, observed in 48-year-old woman, covered bilateral pyramidal syndrome, cerebellar syndrome, myasthenic syndrome and impairment of the cranial nerves. Neuropathological investigation revealed paraneoplastic encephalopathy in the form of encephalitis. Immunofluorescent analysis showed brightly fluorescent neurons standing out against a dull background.