Anaesthetic management of a patient with a unique combination of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis and stiff-person syndrome

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis are rare paraneoplastic syndromes caused by antibodies that target the central nervous system. Here, we describe a 26-year-old woman who presented with psychosis, amnesia, rigidity and fever. After extensive diagnostic and laboratory workup, she was diagnosed with an ovarian teratoma which was causing the symptoms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and SPS. The patient was successfully treated with laparoscopic removal of the ovarian tumour under general anaesthesia. She was placed on immunosuppressant medications preoperatively and postoperatively, and her symptoms gradually resolved. Although there are case reports regarding the anaesthetic management of SPS and anti-NMDAR encephalitis, our study is the first report of a patient afflicted with both conditions.

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