Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes: a review.

Background: Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) constitute a rare group of disorders resulting from damage to the nervous system in the setting of cancer physically unrelated to the tumor site. PNS are believed to result from an autoimmune attack of normal neuronal tissue, spurred by similar neuronal antigens ectopically expressed by tumor cells.

Review Summary: The most common PNS are reviewed and also their association with specific onconeural antibodies, some directly pathogenic, others whose role in the disease process is less clear-cut.

Ischemic stroke in patients with primary brain tumors.

Background: Primary brain tumor patients are at increased risk for stroke from disease and treatment-specific mechanisms.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary brain tumors diagnosed with MRI-confirmed ischemic stroke between 1996 and 2006. Data were collected including risk factors, diagnostic workup, and treatment for stroke.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies: current treatment strategies.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (CIDP), considered an immune-mediated disease, is likely under-recognized and under-treated due to its heterogeneous presentation and the limitations of clinical, serologic, and electrophysiologic diagnostic criteria. Despite these limitations, early diagnosis and treatment is important in preventing irreversible axonal loss and improving functional recovery. Primary treatment modalities include intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis, for which there is randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evidence.