Rare Paraneoplastic Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (POMS) in a recurrent breast cancer patient: Importance of early recognition of POMS and initiation of rehabilitation intervention

Joint Conference on 6^th International Conference on Clinical & Medical Case Reports & 11^th Global Healthcare & Fitness Summit

October 16-18, 2017 San Francisco, USA

Tan Pei Ling, Saw Hay Mar, Tan Yeow Leng

Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Case Rep

Abstract :

Background: Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the amalgamation of multidirectional saccades of eye movements, involuntary myoclonus predominantly affecting trunk and limbs and cerebellar ataxia. Typical malignancies associated with paraneoplatic opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (POMS) in adults are small cell lung carcinoma and breast cancer with variable outcomes. Case Report: The authors report here a patient with stage IV recurrent right breast cancer, presenting to the hospital with unsteady gait, jerky movements of the limbs and body. She was clinically diagnosed with POMS with positive cerebrospinal fluid anti-Ri antibody. Medical treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and early initiation of rehabilitation improved her balance, coordination and ataxia. This led to an overall improvement in her physical function. Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of early recognition, prompt treatment of POMS and initiation of rehabilitation in achieving better functional outcomes.

Biography :

Tan is a Senior Resident in Rehabilitation Medicine at SingHealth in Singapore. She completed her M.D. at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (Singapore), and also holds a B.Sc. (2nd upper class honours) in the National University of Singapore, School of Pharmacy. She was awarded the SingHealth David Sabiston Gold Medal (2012), and received the Quality Service Award (2008) from the Singapore General Hospital. Currently the Chief Resident of the SingHealth Rehabilitation Medicine Senior Residency Program, she has published (as second author) a case report on Rare Paraneoplastic Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (POMS) in a Recurrent Breast Cancer Patient: Importance of Early Recognition of POMS and Initiation of Rehabilitation Intervention. She also presented on the Systematic Review of Use of PPIs vs H2RAs in Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the Critically Ill (19th Annual Scientific Meeting 2007, Singapore). An active member of the community with a passion for bringing healthcare to the needy, Pei Ling has been on several medical missions to Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar and the Philippines. She also currently provides pro bono medical services to foreign workers in Singapore at a community clinic. .