A Case with Anti-ganglioside Antibodies Showing Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies Detected on Gadolinium-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is often accompanied by other anti-ganglioside antibodies, which induces various neurological symptoms. We herein report a patient with anti-ganglioside antibodies, including anti-GQ1b IgG and anti-GT1a IgG antibodies, showing bilateral ophthalmoplegia, facial nerve palsies, dysarthria, dysphagia, dysesthesia in both hands, and enhancement of the bilateral oculomotor, abducens, and facial nerves on gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He was first treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, which improved ophthalmoplegia, bulbar palsies, and dysesthesia of hands, but the facial nerve palsies worsened, and Gd enhancement of the brain nerves persisted. High-dose methylprednisolone therapy subsequently improved the facial nerve palsies and Gd enhancement of the cranial nerves. This is the first case with anti-ganglioside antibodies presenting with multiple cranial nerve palsies that was followed to track the changes in the Gd enhancement of cranial nerves on MRI.