Chapter 18 - Management of Autoimmune Encephalitis in the Neurocritical Care Unit
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2019
Summary
Antibody-associated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) are divided into two broad categories: classic paraneoplastic disorders and autoimmune disorders (i.e. autoimmune encephalitis) [1]. Autoimmune encephalitis is associated with antibodies that bind to cell surface determinants of membrane-associated proteins on neuronal cells (neuronal surface antibody syndrome –NSAb), whereas paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with intracellular neuronal antigens. It can be challenging at times to differentiate between the two syndromes. Patients with NSAb usually present with an acute or subacute symptom onset, with short duration to nadir, and a very good response to immunotherapy [2]. Table 18.1 summarizes some of the characteristics of each. In this chapter, we will focus on the diagnosis and management of autoimmune encephalitis (AE).
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- Neurocritical Care , pp. 233 - 237Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019