[Neurologic disorder complicating a cervical cancer]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology

Background:

• A 47-year-old female patient with stage IIIb cervical adenocarcinoma presented with neurological deficits including visual disturbances and paresthesia.
• Initial investigations for the neurological symptoms revealed bilateral cerebral lesions of unknown etiology.

Observation:

• The patient's condition deteriorated neurologically and cardially despite empirical antibiotic treatment for suspected infectious endocarditis.
• Serial echocardiography identified a mitral valve nodule, prompting consideration of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis.

Findings:

• Given the patient's malignancy, negative blood cultures, and serologies, a diagnosis of marantic endocarditis was established.
• This rare complication, typically associated with advanced cancers, was observed in the context of cervical adenocarcinoma.

Implications:

• The case underscores the importance of considering marantic endocarditis in cancer patients with unexplained neurological and cardiac symptoms.
• Anticoagulant therapy was initiated, leading to initial clinical improvement, highlighting a potential management strategy for this rare condition.