NEUROLOGIC PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROMES WITH NEUROTOLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS

Evidence supports the hypothesis that autoimmune mechanisms are operat ional in the etiopathogenesis of certain neurologic paraneoplastic syn dromes (PNSs), including paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis (PEM) and pa raneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD). The antibodies (Anti-Hu an d Anti-Yo), the antigens (Hu and Yo), and complementary DNA clones enc oding Hu and Yo, central to PEM and PCD, respectively, have been isola ted. In contrast, the antigens, and antibodies if any, involved in aut oimmune cochleovestibular dysfunction remain unknown. The temporal bon e histopathology and neuropathology of 2 patients, 1 with PEM and 1 wi th PCD, who developed signs and symptoms of cochleovestibular dysfunct ion, are reviewed and contrasted to the literature. It is concluded th at both auditory and vestibular symptomatology and pathologic alterati ons can be seen in association with neurologic PNSs and that studies u sing the antigens and antibodies involved in neurologic PNSs may provi de a new perspective on the investigation of autoimmune cochleovestibu lar dysfunction.