Not Your Average Seizure: A Case of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis and Review of Literature

Encephalitis is an inflammatory process of the brain that is most commonly related to infectious etiology; nonetheless, autoimmune encephalitis has been an increasingly identified entity that can cause it as well and should be considered. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a recently identified process but remains less recognized than autoimmune encephalitis. We report a case of an 18-year old female who initially presented with seizures and later developed behavioral symptoms of agitation, crying, screaming, and emotional lability. Ultimately, she was found to have NMDA receptor encephalitis related to ovarian paraneoplastic teratoma. The patient was treated with anti-epileptics and intravenous immunoglobulin and underwent oophorectomy that lead to her recovery. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of NMDA receptor encephalitis to facilitate appropriate investigations and management.

Keywords: anti-n-methyl-d-aspartate; autoimmune encephalitis; ovarian teratoma; seizure.