Interpretation for the evaluation of stiff-person spectrum disorders, including the classical or focal forms, such as stiff-limb or stiff-trunk, and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus, using spinal fluid specimens
Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see SPPC / Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders Evaluation, including Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus, Spinal Fluid
Medical Interpretation
SPPCI_x
CSF
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
Frozen | 28 days | ||
Ambient | 72 hours |
Interpretation for the evaluation of stiff-person spectrum disorders, including the classical or focal forms, such as stiff-limb or stiff-trunk, and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus, using spinal fluid specimens
Stiff-person spectrum disorders include classical stiff-person syndrome, focal stiff-person forms (stiff-limb and stiff-trunk), and a severe encephalomyelitic form known as progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). Paraneoplastic and idiopathic autoimmune causes may be differentiated by a neuronal IgG antibody profile. The unifying clinical and electrophysiologic characteristic is central nervous system hyperexcitability. Clinical manifestations include stiffness, spasms, heightened startle responses, and falls. For the classical stiff-person form, the low back and lower extremities are principally affected. The stiff-limb phenotype may affect one or more limbs without truncal involvement. Truncal manifestations include low back spasms and deformity, with sudden chest wall spasms and breathing difficulties. In addition, patients with PERM have encephalopathy (often with seizures), myoclonus (muscle jerking), and dysautonomia. The most common IgG biomarker detected in stiff-person spectrum is glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) antibody. These patients generally have a classical or limited stiff-person form, almost always have antibody values above 20.0 nmol/L, have accompanying non-neurological autoimmune disease in 50% (type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease being most common), and almost always without accompanying cancer. Amphiphysin-IgG positivity is most frequently encountered in patients with occult breast adenocarcinoma presenting with limb stiffness and spasms; neurogenic changes are usually detectable on clinical exam and electromyography. Glycine receptor (GlyR [ alpha1 1 subunit]) autoimmunity patients present more commonly with PERM or stiff-limb phenotype rather than the classical stiff-person form. Associated neoplasms in GlyR antibody positive patients include thymoma, but a general search for age- and sex-pertinent cancers should also be undertaken. Dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein-6 (DPPX) antibody is associated with diverse central and autonomic presentations, including PERM. B-cell blood dyscrasias should be tested for in DPPX-IgG positive cases. All stiff-person spectrum patients, both seropositive and seronegative, may be immune therapy responsive. GlyR-IgG may be predictive of immune therapy response, including in patients with coexisting GAD65 antibody.
Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see SPPC / Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders Evaluation, including Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus, Spinal Fluid.
Spinal fluid antibody positivity supports the clinical diagnosis of stiff-person spectrum disorder (classical stiff-person, stiff-limb, stiff-trunk, or progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus). A paraneoplastic basis should be considered.
Negative results do not exclude the diagnosis of stiff-person spectrum disorder or progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) antibody positive values below 20 nmol/L should be interpreted with caution. Lower values are encountered in 8% of the general population. However, GAD65 autoimmunity (any antibody value) is associated with other autoimmune diseases that can cause neurological symptoms, including type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency.
1. Hinson SR, Lopez-Chiriboga AS, Bower JH, et al: Glycine receptor modulating antibody predicting treatable stiff-person spectrum disorders. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2018 Jan;5:e438
2. Hutchinson M, Waters P, McHugh J, et al: Progressive encephalomyelitis, rigidity, and myoclonus: a novel glycine receptor antibody. Neurology. 2008 Oct;71(16):1291-1292
3. Martinez-Hernandez E, Arino H, McKeon A, et al: Clinical and immunologic investigations in patients with stiff-person spectrum disorder. JAMA Neurol. 2016 Jun;73(6):714-720
4. McKeon A, Martinez-Hernandez E, Lancaster E, et al: Glycine receptor autoimmune spectrum with stiff-man syndrome phenotype. JAMA Neurol. 2013 Jan;70(1):44-50
5. McKeon A, Robinson MT, McEvoy KM, et al: Stiff-man syndrome and variants: clinical course, treatments, and outcomes. Arch Neurol. 2012 Feb;69(2):230-238
6. Pittock SJ, Lucchinetti CF, Parisi JE, et al: Amphiphysin autoimmunity: paraneoplastic accompaniments. Ann Neurol. 2005 Jun;58(1):96-107
7. Pittock SJ, Yoshikawa H, Ahlskog JE, et al: Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoimmunity with brainstem, extrapyramidal, and spinal cord dysfunction. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Sep;81(9):1207-1214
8. Tobin WO, Lennon VA, Komorowski L, et al: DPPX potassium channel antibody: frequency, clinical accompaniments, and outcomes in 20 patients. Neurology. 2014 Nov;83(20):1797-1803
9. Walikonis JE, Lennon VA: Radioimmunoassay for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) autoantibodies as a diagnostic aid for stiff-man syndrome and a correlate of susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus. Mayo Clin Proc. 1998 Dec;73(12):1161-1166
A neuroimmunology expert reviews the laboratory data and an interpretive report is issued.
Varies
Not Applicable
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
SPPCI | Stiff-Person/PERM Interp, CSF | 69048-7 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
614602 | Stiff-Person/PERM Interp, CSF | 69048-7 |
618909 | IFA Notes | 48767-8 |