Paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathies and GI dysmotility

A number of the well-recognized autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes commonly involve the autonomic nervous system. In some cases, the autonomic nerves or ganglia are primary targets of neurologic autoimmunity, as in immune-mediated autonomic ganglionopathies. In other disorders such as encephalitis, autonomic centers in the brain may be affected. The presence of autonomic dysfunction (especially gastrointestinal dysmotility) is sometimes overlooked even though this may contribute significantly to the symptom burden in these paraneoplastic disorders. Additionally, recognition of autonomic features as part of the clinical syndrome can help point the diagnostic evaluation toward autoimmune and paraneoplastic etiologies. As with other paraneoplastic disorders, the clinical syndrome and the presence and type of neurologic autoantibodies help to secure the diagnosis and direct the most appropriate investigation for malignancy. Optimal management for these conditions typically includes aggressive treatment of the neoplasm, immunomodulatory therapy, and symptomatic treatments for orthostatic hypotension and gastrointestinal dysmotility.