Ictal cold shiver caused by autoimmune limbic encephalitis: A case report and literature review

Ictal cold shiver is a rare manifestation of seizures that originate in the temporal lobes; it is characterized by body trembling and sensations of cold. This study aims to investigate the clinical manifestations and etiological factors in patients with ictal cold shiver. We reviewed 59 cases of ictal cold shiver by using various keywords to search published original articles and case reports, and we described a new case of autoimmune limbic encephalitis. The median age at diagnosis was higher in patients with autoimmune encephalitis than in those with other etiologies (p = 0.007). Autoimmune encephalitis showed more frequent bilateral temporal lobe abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (p = 0.027) and generalized or bilateral independent epileptiform discharges on electroencephalography (EEG) (p = 0.047). Anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 antibodies were most commonly detected in patients with autoimmune encephalitis with ictal cold shiver (85.7 %). This study highlights the importance of considering autoimmune mechanisms in the presence of ictal cold shiver, especially in patients with bilateral temporal lobe lesions on MRI, generalized or bilateral independent epileptiform discharges on EEG, and older onset.