Response to rituximab and prednisolone for opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in a child with ganglioneuroblastoma

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2008 Dec;25(8):756-61. doi: 10.1080/08880010802341690.

Abstract

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia (OMA) syndrome is a rare neurobehavioral paraneoplastic disorder in children with neuroblastic tumors. The neurologic symptoms are generally treated with a number of immunosupressive and immunomodulating agents. A 4-year-old previously healthy male patient was admitted to the authors' center with progressive ataxia, gait disturbance, difficulty of speech, and opsoclonus. He had a diagnosis of ganglionueroblastoma at the thoracal paraspinal region. Following surgery, the patient received IVIG and prednisolone but his cerebellar symptoms progressed. Rituximab therapy was started and continued for total 8 weeks without any side effect. The authors observed excellent neurologic response in the patient at the 4th week of treatment. Rituximab is a new, promising, and safe therapy for OMA syndrome in children with neuroblastoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / complications
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Radiography
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Prednisolone