Ovarian teratoma-associated anti-N-methyl-daspartate receptor autoimmune encephalitis: A case report

Abstract

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by a wide variety of infectious and noninfectious conditions. Anti-N-methyl-Daspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a recently described but increasingly recognized autoimmune disorder characterized by specific clinical features and the presence of anti-NMDAR antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. These autoantibodies appear to have an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This type of encephalitis is more prevalent in young women with ovarian teratomas, although it has also been described in adults and children of both sexes with and without identifiable neoplasms. Inspired by the case of our patient, a 19-year-old African American woman, we present a review of the literature regarding this noninfectious cause of acute encephalitis and discuss its relationship with tertomas.