Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

Paraneoplastic progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome in a patient with B-cell lymphoma.

Tan JH, Goh BC, Tambyah PA, Wilder-Smith E

Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. mdcwse@nus.edu.sg

An important component in the diagnosis of atypical parkinsonian disorders is the exclusion of secondary causes. Paraneoplastic causes of parkinsonism are extremely rare. We describe a case which presented initially as probable progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) but on follow-up displayed a rapidly progressive course, unexplained fever, peripheral neuropathy and an abnormal CSF. We highlight the difficulties faced in formulating a diagnosis for this unusual case prior to the discovery of an occult B-cell lymphoma, and discuss its relevance in the exclusion criteria for PSP. A paraneoplastic cause should be considered if disease progression is unusually rapid.

Published 12 April 2005 in Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 11(3): 187-91.
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