Background
Autoimmune encephalitis is increasingly identified as a cause of nonviral, idiopathic encephalitis. Present treatment algorithms recommend costly immune-modulating treatments and do not identify a role for oral corticosteroids.
Objective
To present a patient with γ-aminobutyric acidB receptor–antibody encephalitis before and after treatment with oral corticosteroids.
Design
Case report.
Setting
The inpatient course as well as outpatient follow-up is discussed.
Patient
A 43-year-old man with initial presentation of seizures and altered mental status.
Intervention
Our patient was treated with an extended course of oral corticosteroids as an outpatient.
Results
After treatment with oral corticosteroids, our patient had steady clinical improvement, achieved seizure freedom, and experienced improved mental status to within normal limits.
Conclusions
This case supports the use of low-cost oral corticosteroids in treating patients with γ-aminobutyric acidB receptor–antibody encephalitis.