Cranial nerve involvement in childhood polyarteritis nodosa.

Amongst a variety of neurological manifestations of childhood polyarteritis nodosa, cranial nerve involvement is unusual. We report 4 cases with cranial nerve palsies in a series of 36 biopsy-proven patients. Two cases presented with IIIrd nerve palsy alone, one with right IIIrd and left IVth nerve palsy, and one with peripheral VIIth nerve paresis. All 4 patients showed good response to prednisolone and cyclophosphamide treatment. Cranial nerve involvement in childhood polyarteritis nodosa seems not so rare when patients are followed on long term basis.     

Spatial distribution of the peripheral nerve lesion in polyarteritis nodosa

We have examined the peripheral nerves in four patients with polyarteritis nodosa. They were consisted of two males and two females with the age of 70, 49, 65 and 75 years respectively. The sciatic and posterior-tibial nerves, sural nerves, ventral and dorsal spinal nerve roots, dorsal ganglia and spinal cord were removed at autopsy. Particularly, the sciatic and posterior-tibial nerves were removed as a whole and suspended in a glass cylinder with a weight and fixed in 1.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 for 16 hours. The nerve fragments of every 3 to 3.5 cm along the sciatic and posterior-tibial nerve were examined on conventional paraffin-embedded and epon-embedded sections, and osmicated teased-fibers. Necrotizing angitis was commonly present in the epineurium of the sciatic and posterior-tibial nerves in all four patients. Although necrotizing angitis was diffusely distributed in the proximal to distal portions of the nerve, loss of myelinated fibers, occurred only in the distal to mid-lower portions of the sciatic nerve. There was no substantial myelinated fiber loss in the proximal part of the sciatic nerve in three of four cases. Myelinated fiber loss in the fascicle was central fascicular or multiple-focal in pattern in the proximal portions of the nerve, but was diffuse in more distal portion of the posterior tibial nerve. Segmental demyelination and myelin irregularity in the teased-fiber preparation were more prominently observed in the proximal portions, but fibers with axonal degeneration were more frequent in the distal portions of the nerve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

以周围神经病为首发症状的6例结节性多动脉炎的临床病理特点

目的回顾性分析6例以周围神经病为首发症状的结节性多动脉炎(PAN)患者的临床和病理特点,为早期诊断提供帮助。方法总结分析6例PAN患者的临床特点,作为首发症状的周围神经病的起病方式,进展过程,症状与体征的演变,以及电生理检查与腓肠神经组织病理学特点。同时总结6例患者的其他伴随症状,血液学检查,血管超声等检查手段的诊断意义。结果6例患者多数起病较急,下肢受累早,且症状比上肢重。感觉神经受累出现早,且刺激性症状比较突出。症状与体征不对称,尤其在病程早期更明显,后期可表现为远端对称或不对称性的多发性周围神经病。本组患者神经传导以波幅下降为主,感觉和运动神经均受累。3例患者行腓肠神经活检术,仅1例患者发现血管炎的典型病理改变。结论结节性多动脉炎以周围神经病为首发症状时诊断较困难。应详细询问病史,仔细查体。实验室检查如血沉快,C反应蛋白升高,血白细胞增多,血管彩超发现小动脉瘤或血管狭窄等具有提示意义。电生理检查可明确神经病变的部位和程度,神经和肌肉活检可证实诊断。     

Choroidal and optic nerve infarction in hepatitis C-associated polyarteritis nodosa.

A 39-year-old man presented with headache, weight loss, bilateral subdural hematomas, pansinusitis, and visual loss. The neuro-ophthalmologic examination disclosed deep choroidal lesions and bilateral optic disc edema. Orchiectomy for testicular torsion showed acute vasculitis consistent with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing revealed hepatitis C. This is the first reported case of PAN due to hepatitis C with early findings of choroidal and optic nerve infarction.     

Muscle and nerve involvement in granulomatous mycosis fungoides

Occasional cases of peripheral neuropathy have been reported in classic mycosis fungoides. A rare variant of mycosis fungoides is the granulomatous form. We describe the occurrence of myopathy and peripheral neuropathy in a young woman who had skin lesions since the age of 12 years. At the age of 20 years they were diagnosed as granulomatous mycosis fungoides. The skin lesions resolved with interferon therapy and radiation. She then presented with cardiac and pulmonary symptoms and signs that were initially thought to be due to sarcoidosis or systemic vasculitis. A nerve and muscle biopsy showed granulomatous mycosis fungoides. To our knowledge, involvement of muscle and nerve by granulomatous mycosis fungoides has not been reported previously. Early reports suggested a favorable prognosis for the granulomatous subtype of mycosis fungoides. Based on a literature review and the course in our case, however, granulomatous mycosis fungoides seems to be an indicator of aggressive disease and ultimately a poor prognosis.     

Pathology of the peripheral nervous system in polyarteritis nodosa: a clinico-pathological study of two autopsy cases

Peripheral nerves from the two autopsied cases with polyarteritis nodosa were pathologically examined. Case 1 was a seventy-year-old female, complaining of numbness and weakness of the extremities. Sensory deficits in all modality with induced dysesthesia were distributed as a mode of overlapping mononeuritis multiplex in the distal portion of extremities. Motor involvement was also noted in extremities in disarray-accentuated pattern. Extensive steroid hormone therapy was performed and remarkable improvement in clinical sign was temporarily obtained. Relapse with bowel involvement was a cause of the death. In the post-mortem examination, central fascicular degeneration with the loss of large myelinated fibers were seen at the middle portion of upper limbs in median nerve and at the lower mid-thigh in sciatic nerve. In the distal portion of those nerves, diffuse extensive loss of large myelinated fibers in the fasciculus were observed. Some of small thin myelinated fibers in the central fasciculus or distal portion of nerves were thought to be regenerated in nature. Accumulation of cell organelles in the axonal swellings were frequently occurred in the proximal to the ischemic site. Case 2 was a seventy five-year-old female with a both motor and sensory involvement in the distal extremities. Right pulmonary effusion and extensive subcutaneous hemorrhage and necrotic gangrene in the leg was also noted. Post-mortem examination of peripheral nerves revealed a presence of central fascicular degeneration in the distal sciatic nerves and nearly complete loss of myelinated fibers in the distal nerves. Ventral and dorsal roots and dorsal root ganglia were well preserved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

伴脑神经受损的吉兰-巴雷综合征42例临床分析

目的探讨伴有脑神经受累的吉兰-巴雷综合征(Guillain-Barre syndrome,GBS)的临床、神经电生理特点及治疗转归情况。方法搜集2005-1-2015-5我科收治的伴有脑神经受累的GBS患者42例,回顾性分析其临床特点及治疗方案疗效比较。根据Hughes评分的变化评估对患者的疗效,并用Fisher确切概率法对单纯静脉注射免疫球蛋白(intravenous immunogloblin,IVIg)组和IVIg联合糖皮质激素(简称为激素)组的有效率进行比较。结果 42例患者中单纯脑神经受累7例,伴有脊神经受累35例;脑神经受累的主要临床症状依次为吞咽困难及呛咳21例,眼外肌麻痹17例,鼻唇沟变浅16例。实验室检查:腰穿查脑脊液的患者32例,其中脑脊液蛋白-细胞分离24例。行神经传导速度、F波及H反射检查35例,其中异常31例,包括F波/H反射未引出或出现率减低20例,运动神经潜伏期延长15例,波幅减低15例,运动神经传导速度减慢12例,感觉神经传导速度减慢9例。采用单纯IVIg治疗20例,好转18例(90%),IVIg联合激素治疗17例,好转12例(70.6%),两者疗效差异无统计学意义(P=0.140);其中IVIg联合激素治疗无效的5例患者中,3例患者治疗后病情仍加重,行血浆置换后病情好转;单纯激素治疗3例,好转2例;未治疗自动出院2例。结论脑神经受累的GBS患者中舌咽、迷走、动眼神经及面神经最易受累,也可同时累及脊神经。神经传导速度、F波检查及脑脊液蛋白细胞分离对诊断伴有脑神经受累的GBS均有重要意义。单独使用IVIg或联合激素治疗GBS疗效较好。     

Peripheral neuropathy associated with allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome): Clinical features and histological findings

We describe the case of a patient with a history of resistant asthma who presented with subacute neuropathy, hypereosiniphilia and central nervous system involvement; these findings were consistent with allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome). Although cutaneous biopsy prompted the diagnosis, the cases reported suggests that clinical, biological and histological data are all essential for the diagnosis. We emphasize that an early recognition of this syndrome may be important, since appropriate therapy may lead to recovery or influence favorably at least long term survival.

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Sommario Riportiamo il caso di un paziente con storia clinica di asma cronica, che ha presentato neuropatia periferica subacuta, eosinifilia e manifestazioni a carico del sistema nervoso centrale, dati evocativi di una sindrome di Churg e Strauss. Sebbene la biopsia cutanea sia stata l'elemento più importante per la diagnosi, il caso riportato suggerisce che i danni clinici, biologici e istologici sono tutti significativi ai fini diagnostici. La diagnosi precoce di questa sindrome può essere importante, dato che una appropriata terapia può influenzarne favorevolmente il decorso.

     

Neurolymphomatosis,a rare manifestation of peripheral nerve involvement in lymphomas: Suggestive features and diagnostic challenges

Neurolymphomatosis, the infiltration of the peripheral nervous system from lymphoid cells, represents an uncommon manifestation of lymphomas. We describe the challenging diagnostic work‐up in a patient with neurolymphomatosis. A 58‐year‐old woman with previous breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with chemo‐ and radiation‐therapy, presented with dysesthesias, neuropathic pain at left abdomen and thigh, and weakness at left lower limb 9 years after disease remission. Neurophysiology revealed left T10‐L4 radiculo‐plexopathy with no abnormalities at cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), nerve ultrasound, and ¹⁸fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). MR‐neurography disclosed left rectus abdominis muscle atrophy, neurogenic edema, and denervation. Radiation‐induced damage, paraneoplastic, infectious radiculo‐plexopathies, and atypical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy were ruled out. Neurolymphomatosis was suspected, and the patient treated with rituximab with improvement. Despite treatment, the radiculo‐plexopathy eventually extended to the right side and sacral roots. Later in the disease course, sural nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Maintenance therapy was continued, until cutaneous localizations occurred, requiring salvage therapy and autologous stem cell transplant. Although rare, neurolymphomatosis should be considered in all patients with lymphomas and unexplained peripheral nervous system involvement. Hematological, CSF, and neuroimaging findings may be unremarkable, and a high index of suspicion required in order to achieve the diagnosis.     

Multiple cranial nerve involvement associated with tentorial pachymeningitis of granulomatous type

Otitis media in a 43 year-old male patient was followed by signs of chronic meningitis with persistent headaches, moderate pleiomorphic lymphocytosis of CSF without hypoglycorrhachia and unilateral impairment of cranial nerves XI to II. These signs were accompanied by widespread inflammation with general deterioration of the patient's condition. After a time the tentorium of cerebellum showed thickening and significant contrast uptake in conjunction with necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, indicating tentorial pachymeningitis. Swift and complete remission was obtained with a corticoid-cyclophosphamide combination. After reviewing the other possible causes of chronic meningitis, the authors proposed a diagnosis of Wegener's disease of auricular origin in view of the compatibility of all the data. A few cases of cranial pachymeningitis of indeterminate origin are described in the literature. Only this patient was treated with a corticoid-cyclophosphamide combination. The remarkable efficacy of this double therapy confirms the diagnostic hypothesis of Wegener's granulomatosis.     

Multiperspective assessment of peripheral nerve involvement in diabetic patients

To assess the relationship between peripheral nerve involvement and the patient's perception of his own quality of life, we studied 36 consecutive out-patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without other diabetic complications other than neuropathy (20 men, 16 women; mean age 39.1 years). We used clinical (Semmes-Weinstein, vibration perception threshold, muscle strength, osteotendinous reflexes), neurophysiological (sural, peroneal and ulnar nerves), metabolic (glycosylated haemoglobin) and patient-oriented (SF-36 and NASS questionnaires) measurements. Patient-oriented physical scores were significantly related to: (1) neurophysiological findings of the inferior limbs; (2) conventional measurements of sensitivity; (3) metabolic assessment. Conversely, patient-oriented mental scores were significantly related only to metabolic assessment. The patient-oriented measure provided an important perspective of the severity of the disease often closely related with the biological parameters and suggested new ways of interpreting conventional biological measurements. In particular, the peripheral nerve picture appeared strictly related with the physical aspects of the patients' quality of life, while the metabolic picture appeared related with both the mental and physical aspects of the quality of life.     

免疫介导的坏死性肌病重叠综合征患者的临床特点分析

目的 总结归纳免疫介导的坏死性肌病(IMNM)重叠综合征患者的临床特点。方法 收集2011年至2020年武汉同济医院确诊的15例重叠综合征患者,根据重叠不同结缔组织病(CTD)分为IMNM重叠干燥综合征(SS)组（10例）、重叠类风湿性关节炎(RA)组（4例）、重叠系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)组（1例）。对3组患者的临床表现、实验室检查、治疗和预后等资料进行分析。结果IMNM-SS组患者中女性发病占比较高;血清肌酸激酶(CK)平均水平(3129±4719)u/L,在3组中最高。IMNM-RA组患者平均病程(3.7±1.7)个月,在3组中最短。IMNM-SLE组患者平均发病年龄23岁,在3组中最年轻。IMNM-SS和IMNM-RA组患者间质性肺病(ILD)和心脏功能受累比例高;血清肌炎抗体以抗SRP、抗SS-A/Ro-52抗体表达比例最高。3组患者多采用激素联合免疫抑制剂治疗方法（IMNM-SS患者占比80%;IMNM-RA患者占比75%;IMNM-SLE患者占比100%）,其中47.6%患者采用了糖皮质激素联合他克莫司治疗。2例(13.3%)患者基本恢复正常,12例(80%)患者病情得到好...     

Histopathological features of peripheral nerve and muscle in mitochondrial disease

Despite enormous strides in the molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial disease, this approach is currently applicable to only a minority of patients who are affected with these disorders. The phenotypic spectrum in this category of disease is large and, in the absence of genotypic confirmation, a pattern recognition paradigm is probably the most sensitive means to reinforce the suspicion of mitochondrial disease. Along with clinical, biochemical, radiographic, and electrophysiological markers, histopathological features from nerve and muscle biopsy are useful indices to factor into a complex equation permitting a presumptive diagnosis or to justify more elaborate diagnostic undertakings. The combination of electrophysiological evidence of demyelinating neuropathy on nerve conduction studies and mild myopathic features on electromyography is one such constellation that should instigate a high index of suspicion for mitochondrial disease. The histopathological hallmarks of mitochondrial cytopathies on muscle biopsy are the "ragged-red fiber" on light level evaluation and paracrystalline inclusions at the electron microscopic level. Neither of these is exclusive to mitochondrial disease and both may be identified among other nonspecific changes seen in biopsy specimens. Histopathological evaluation of muscle and nerve can provide information to reinforce the likelihood of mitochondrial disease or to indicate an alternative diagnosis as the more probable cause of a patient's symptoms.     

Aspects of peripheral nerve involvement in patients with treated hypothyroidism

Background:  We studied involvement of large and small nerve fibres in patients with hypothyroidism and symptoms and signs of polyneuropathy.
Methods:  Sixteen patients with established diagnosis of hypothyroidism were extracted from a patient population participating in a 'polyneuropathy study'. In addition, seven patients with other additional potential causes of polyneuropathy than hypothyroidism were investigated. The patients underwent neurological examination, routine blood tests, nerve conduction studies (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST) and skin biopsies with assessment of intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density.
Results:  Sixty-three per cent of the patients with 'pure' hypothyroidism had abnormalities on NCS, 25% had reduced IENF density and 31% had abnormalities on QST. Four patients (25%) met criteria for small fibre polyneuropathy, the other (75%) were classified as having mixed fibre polyneuropathy. There were no differences in the amount of abnormalities on NCS, QST and skin biopsy between patients with hypothyroidism and those with hypothyroidism and other potential causes of polyneuropathy.
Conclusions:  The majority of patients with hypothyroidism had involvement of both large and small nerve fibres. However, some patients had isolated small fibre polyneuropathy. Patients with 'pure' hypothyroidism had essentially the same degree of peripheral nerve fibre involvement as those with other additional causes of polyneuropathy.