Paraneoplastic Syndrome Masquerading as Recurrent Cerebellar Vascular Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Stroke is second leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Thus, it is critical to perform prompt workups when patients present with the concerning signs and symptoms. However, many other medical conditions mimic stroke and can account for hospitalizations where stroke and vascular workups are pursued, oftentimes being costly not only to the patient but to the medical system. One category of under recognized mimics is paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes, which are a variety of neurologic disorders associated with systemic malignancy. Kelch-like protein 11 antibody is a recently discovered antibody associated with paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. Herein, we present a unique case of a patient presenting with recurrent and persistent cerebellar stroke-like symptoms found to have an underlying Kelch-like protein 11 antibody-associated paraneoplastic syndrome. We review the entirety of his presentation, review the current literature on this paraneoplastic syndrome, and discuss implications from this case that can be applied in future practice