Title

The neuropathology of paraneoplastic syndromes

Author

Scaravilli F; An SF; Groves M; Thom M

Address

Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Neurology, The National Hospital Queen Square, London, UK. F.Scaravilli@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Source

Brain Pathol, 1999 Apr, 9:2, 251-60

Abstract

The term "paraneoplastic neurological syndromes" encompasses a number of uncommon disorders associated with systemic malignancies. In order to be classified a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome, the malignancies must not invade, compress, or metastasize to the nervous system. They can either focally or diffusely involve the central and peripheral nervous system or the neuromuscular junction. This paper reviews the neuropathology of the syndrome. It will first describe the clinical presentation and give an account of the systemic tumors most commonly associated with the various types of disorders. Then it will review the general pathological features that consist of an inflammatory process predominantly affecting the gray matter. Finally, it will describe in detail the main clinico-pathological types, including 1) encephalomyelitis, 2) cortical cerebellar degeneration, 3) peripheral neuropathy, 4) opsoclonus-myoclonus and 5) retinopathy. The Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome will be dealt with separately in another paper in this symposium.

Language

English

Unique Identifier

99235149

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MESH Headings (Major)

Brain|*PA; Nervous System Diseases|*PA; Paraneoplastic Syndromes|*PA

MESH Headings

Autoantibodies|AN; Encephalomyelitis|PA; Human; Inflammation; Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome|PA; Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy|PA; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases|PA; Retinal Diseases|PA

Publication Type

JOURNAL ARTICLE; REVIEW; REVIEW, ACADEMIC

ISSN

1015-6305

Country of Publication

SWITZERLAND