[Small cell lung cancer complicated by opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome]

Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome, one of the paraneoplastic neurological syndromes involving several neurological symptoms that result from "remote effects" of cancer, is a rare disease characterized by opsoclonus, cerebellar ataxia and myoclonus of the trunk and extremities. A 53-year-old man was admitted with dizziness and difficulty walking. Medical examinations led to a diagnosis of opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome. CT scans showed mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy, and a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer was made. Steroid therapy and chemotherapy (carboplatin + etoposide) produced significant improvement in the neurological symptoms.