Teratoma-Induced Anti–NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

Anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a paraneoplastic disorder predominantly affecting young women characterized by a combination of psychotic encephalopathy, seizures, and abnormal movements of the trunk and face, particularly in the form of jaw dystonia. This video demonstrates characteristic jaw-opening dystonias, paroxysmal opisthotonus, and catatonic postures in a 26 year old African American woman who presented with acute psychosis. Pelvic MR imaging demonstrated a right 9-mm ovarian mass which proved to be a teratoma on histopathological analysis (Figure 2B). The patient returned to normal with surgical teratoma excision and IV methylprednisolone sodium succinate. For complete case details and discussion, see http://ja.ma/1bBxH5c.

Cite this as : Arch Neurol. 2010;67(2):250-251. doi: 10.1001/archneurol.2009.317.