Limbic Encephalitis Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome: Report of Three Cases

Intern Med. 2016;55(16):2285-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.6222. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Abstract

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) may be complicated by neurological manifestations. We herein report three women (age range 26-60 years old) who all presented with limbic encephalitis (LE) as the predominant clinical feature 3 months to 15 years after the diagnosis of SS. The 26-year-old patient also developed acute motor axonal neuropathy one week after autoimmune encephalitis. All three patients showed contrast-enhanced MRI lesions and inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid findings, while not displaying any anti-neuronal antibodies and showing a remarkable response to immunotherapy. SS is often overlooked when the symptoms are mild. Therefore, in LE cases with no identifiable cause, serological screening for rheumatologic disorders is recommended.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain Diseases / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Limbic Encephalitis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Limbic Encephalitis / complications
  • Limbic Encephalitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Biomarkers