Paraneoplastic cerebellitis with Kelch-like protein 11 antibodies as an initial presentation for testicular seminoma.

A male in his 40s presented with a 3-day history of progressive difficulty with ambulation and speech. Physical examination was notable for dysmetria, horizontal and vertical nystagmus and dysdiadochokinesis. The MRI of the brain was unrevealing. Given concern for a post-infectious or paraneoplastic origin of cerebellitis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sent for infectious and autoimmune antibody testing. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with contrast and a testicular ultrasound were performed, which revealed right retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and a right testicular mass. He underwent a right radical orchiectomy with a pathology report revealing a pure seminoma. The CSF autoimmune panel was negative for the typical onconeuronal proteins associated with paraneoplastic syndromes. However, on further testing, the specimen was positive for the Kelch-like protein 11 antibody, a novel biomarker for paraneoplastic syndrome associated with testicular seminoma. The patient's symptoms mildly improved following surgical resection, intravenous immunoglobulin and initiation of chemotherapy.

Duke Scholars

Author Matthew Kyle Labriola Medicine, Medical Oncology