[Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Early diagnosis and treatment in patients with acute-subacute psychotic symptoms].

INTRODUCTION

Encephalitis due to anti-NMDA receptor antibodies is an acute and severe condition, which, if identified and treated quickly, can entail recovery without any sequelae. It is more prevalent in young females and is often associated with an underlying tumour. The initial symptoms are usually of a psychiatric nature, and in a matter of days or weeks take on a characteristic neurological profile.

CASE REPORTS

We report the cases of three women, 17, 23 and 35 years of age, who were admitted to Psychiatry with acute psychotic clinical features. The poor response to antipsychotics, the fluctuations in the level of consciousness, dysautonomia and epileptic seizures were the symptoms that led to the clinical suspicion. The cerebrospinal fluid revealed slight pleocytosis and gave positive for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in all cases. Only one patient displayed alterations in the magnetic resonance brain scan, and in two cases there was an extreme delta brush electroencephalographic pattern. All three women were diagnosed with an ovarian teratoma which was resectioned within a month. Two of the patients recovered without any sequelae, and the third presents cognitive sequelae six months after being discharged.

CONCLUSIONS

The cases described began with an acute psychotic clinical picture. The atypical psychiatric progression and the neurological symptoms indicated the possible presence of encephalitis. Recognition of the disease and coordination among the different services is essential for early diagnosis and treatment. The systematic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with a first acute-subacute psychotic episode would help to reach a diagnosis sooner. In young women, a search must always be carried out for an ovarian teratoma or other associated tumour.