A 35-year-old woman is recovering from a rare autoimmune brain disorder at KIMS Hospitals, Thane
A 35-year-old woman who suffered from recurrent convulsions and neurological symptoms for about three months was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis at KIMS Hospitals, Thane. She consulted several hospitals, received treatment for seizures, and was even prescribed antidepressants during her evaluation. However, her condition continued to deteriorate.
The turning point came when she developed severe convulsions during a 3 Tesla MRI at KIMS Hospitals. Doctors identified the underlying condition as autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain tissue.
A normal EEG is concerning
Dr Dipesh Bimple, Consultant Neurologist, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, assessed the patient after the seizure. Previous investigations, including video-electroencephalography, were normal, while a positron emission tomography scan showed hypometabolism. Dr Siddharth Kharkar, Consultant Neurologist, also suspected an autoimmune neurological disorder and advised to continue immunotherapy.
Despite antiepileptic medications, the patient’s abnormal movements persisted and did not resemble classic seizures. She ultimately required emergency intubation, ventilator support, and multiple medications. Routine and prolonged electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring remained normal.
Based on the atypical seizure pattern, behavioral symptoms, and normal EEG findings, Dr. Pemble suspected autoimmune encephalitis on the first day of admission.
Early treatment leads to rapid recovery
Doctors immediately started high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone after consulting the family. They also performed a whole-body PET-MRI to rule out an underlying malignancy, as some forms of autoimmune encephalitis can be associated with hidden cancers. A high-resolution 3 Tesla MRI showed volume loss in the left temporal lobe, further supporting the diagnosis.
Although the abnormal movements initially decrease, some seizures persist. Therefore, the team then started treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
According to the press release, the patient showed a significant response by day 2 of IVIG treatment. Her abnormal movements decreased significantly, and she was gradually taken off ventilators. With neurorehabilitation, she regained her strength, began walking independently, resumed eating without assistance, and returned to daily activities.
The importance of early diagnosis
Speaking about the condition, Dr Dipesh Bimple said autoimmune encephalitis can closely resemble epilepsy or psychiatric illnesses, making early diagnosis difficult. He stressed that careful clinical evaluation and early immunotherapy played a major role in controlling the disease and improving the patient’s recovery.
The patient’s treatment included neurology, critical care, radiology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, nursing and allied health care teams. This case highlights the importance of considering autoimmune encephalitis when seizure-like episodes are unusual or do not respond as expected to conventional treatment. Early recognition and appropriate immunotherapy can significantly improve outcomes.
