[Patients with anti-GABA (B) receptor encephalitis: 8 cases report]

Objective: To discuss the clinical features, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of anti-GABA (B) receptor encephalitis. Methods: Clinical data of patients with anti-gaba B receptor encephalitis admitted to the department of neurology of the second hospital of hebei medical university from April 2016 to February 2018 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Eight patients with anti-GABA (B) receptor encephalitis were included. All the eight cases presented with epileptic seizures. The initial symptoms were clinical seizures in six cases, memory deficit in one case, mental and behavior disorder in one case. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test indicated high intracranial pressure in four patients, increased protein in two patients and lymphocytosis in four patients. Long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) showed abnormal in all patients. Brain MRI showed limbic system lesions in four patients. The anti-GABA (B) receptor antibody was positive in both serum and CSF in all patients. Four patients had small cell lung cancer. All the eight patients received immunotherapy and symptoms were improved. After 6-24 months' follow-up, 1 patient recovered completely, and in the remaining 7 patients, mild symptoms were left behind. Conclusions: The anti-GABA (B) receptor encephalitis is characterized by refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy is the most common initial symptom. About 50% patients are accompanied by tumors. Anti-GABA (B) receptor antibodies testing and tumor screening should be actively carried out.