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Zalewski, Nicholas

Mayo Clinic

Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA.

Citations 5

Calcium channel autoimmunity: Cerebellar ataxia and lambert‐eaton syndrome coexisting
Zalewski, Nicholas L. , Lennon, Vanda A. , Pittock, Sean J. , McKeon, Andrew , Zalewski, Nicholas, Pittock, S J , McKeon, Andrew

Muscle & Nerve | December 24, 2017 | Volume: 58 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 29-35

10.1002/mus.26053 Get It

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Neuronal calcium channel antibodies are a biomarker of Lambert‐Eaton syndrome (LES) and cerebellar ataxia. We have encountered several patients with LES and cerebellar ataxia coexisting, and we sought to further define this association. Methods: We reviewed records of patients at our institution with a diagnosis of “Lambert‐Eaton syndrome” and “cerebellar ataxia.” Results: Seventeen patients were identified with LES and ataxia. Presenting symptoms were weakness (8), concurrent weakness and ataxia (4), ataxia (4), and other (1). Nine patients had small‐cell lung carcinoma, 3 of whom had survival greater than 100 months. Immunotherapy responses were best among patients without cancer. Nine of 17 (53%) patients were alive at last follow‐up (median survival 62 months; range, 8–240). Discussion: Calcium channel autoimmunity should be considered in patients with coexisting cerebellar ataxia and myasthenic weakness. Affected patients may survive small‐cell carcinoma or have immunotherapy‐responsive neurological symptoms. Muscle Nerve 58: 29–35, 2018