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Neuropediatrics 2022; 53(02): 143-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742718
Short Communication

Anti-GFAP Antibody-Associated Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis

Chengbing Tan
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
,
Min Zhong
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
,
Zhengxiong Yao
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
,
Siqi Hong
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
,
Li Jiang
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
,
Yan Jiang 
1   Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders Chongqing, People's Republic of China
2   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Abstract

Background Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is an inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorder that usually presents as steroid responsive encephalitis, meningitis, myelitis, or meningoencephalomyelitis. Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is an uncommon disorder that causes a localized or diffuse thickening of the dura mater. Depending on the etiology, HP can be idiopathic or secondary to a wide variety of other diseases. There are no reports of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy presenting as HP.

Methods In this case report, we describe a rare case of pediatric HP possibly associated with anti-GFAP antibody.

Results A 13-year-old previously healthy girl presented with headache for nearly 8 months with left-sided peripheral facial palsy and left-sided abductor nerve palsy in the second month of course. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed contrast enhancement of hypertrophic dura mater. Anti-GFAPα antibodies were positive in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient improved clinically after steroid treatment with partial resolution of abnormal intracranial MRI lesions.

Conclusion The present study suggests that HP may be one of the clinical phenotypes for autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy or GFAP antibody is a biomarker for HP.

Keywords

autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy - hypertrophic pachymeningitis - autoimmune inflammation - MRI


Publication History

Received: 22 July 2021

Accepted: 29 December 2021

Article published online:
11 February 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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