Thymoma-Related Stiff-Person Syndrome with Successfully Treated by Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder. Paraneoplastic SPS associated with malignant tumors such as thymoma occurs in approx-imately 5% of all SPS cases. We present a rare case of thymoma accompanied by SPS successfully treated using surgery. Presentation of Case: A 26-year-old woman presented with lower limbs convulsions and gait disturbance and complained of leg pain. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood test results showed a high level of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. Computed tomography showed anterior mediastinal tumor suggestive of a thymoma. She underwent extended thymectomy, and her symptoms gradually improved after surgery. No evidence of recurrent thymoma and SPS has been observed over 44 months. Conclusion: Surgical treatment would be effective for patients with SPS and thymoma.