A Case of Paraneoplastic Myoclonus Attributed to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: It is well known that myoclonus can be a paraneoplastic manifestation of underlying malignancy.

Case Report: A 78-year-old male diagnosed with papillary variant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented with tremulousness that rapidly evolved into severe, diffuse myoclonus with prominent palatal involvement requiring intubation. The generalized myoclonus resolved with on levetiracetam, chemotherapy and immune modulation. While low titer positive P/Q type calcium channel autoantibodies were detected, it’s etiologic relevance is unclear.

Discussion: This case highlights a rare neurologic paraneoplastic presentation of papillary NSCLC. It also illustrates the importance of monitoring airway safety when myoclonus is generalized.

Highlights: A new, rare paraneoplastic presentation of papillary variant non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma is described. The patient presented with severe diffuse myoclonus with prominent palatal involvement without encephalitis that responded to a combination of chemotherapy, immune modulation, and levetiracetam. No clear causal antibody was found.