Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with minifascicle formation in a patient with 46XY pure gonadal dysgenesis: a new clinical entity

This case report is of a patient with 46XY pure gonadal dysgenesis, who presented with chronic progressive motor and sensory polyneuropathy. The sural nerve biopsy exhibited minifascicle formations accompanied by a marked decrease in myelinated fibers. This is the first report of polyneuropathy with minifascicle formations in 46XY pure gonadal dysgenesis. Because a similar polyneuropathy was recently reported in a case with 46XY partial gonadal dysgenesis, it is possible that these cases represent a new type of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy associated with gonadal dysgenesis.     

A case of anti-GM1 antibody positive HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) with polyneuropathy]

We report a case of HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) with polyneuropathy. A 59-year old man suffering from progressive paraparesis associated with subclinical polyneuropathy was admitted to our hospital. HTLV-I antibodies in the serum and CSF were positive, and a diagnosis of HAM was made. His laboratory investigation revealed elevated serum IgG and IgM anti GM-1 antibodies. The nerve conduction study showed a mild reduction in motor and sensory conduction velocity in all extremities. A sural nerve biopsy revealed active demyelination and globule-like changes, which are specific for HAM neuropathy. Anti-GM1 antibodies are frequently present in autoimmune motor neuropathy. They are thought to inflict a damage on both the myelin and axons of the peripheral nerves. Ours is believed to be the first case of HAM associated with anti-GM1 antibodies, although polyneuropathy is often associated with HAM. While it is not clear whether the lesion observed in HAM neuropathy results from the direct cytopathic effect of the virus or from the immune response, some immune-mediated reactions are thought to play an important role. This case suggests that a case of HAM with polyneuropathy should be examined for the presence of the anti-ganglioside antibodies. More investigations are needed to fully understand the mechanism of the HAM neuropathy.     

POEMS syndrome: follow-up study of a case.

We report here the case of a 20-year-old man with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M proteins, skin changes). This rare syndrome followed a 3-year history of a syndrome that mimics a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Treatment with cyclophosphamide induced regression of the syndrome and improved peripheral nerve conduction.     

Inverse correlation between VEGF and soluble VEGF receptor 2 in POEMS with AIDP responsive to intravenous immunoglobulin

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M‐band, and skin changes) syndrome is characterized by chronic progressive polyneuropathy and plasma‐cell dyscrasia. A major diagnostic criterion of POEMS is elevation of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is believed to play a pathogenic role in this disease. We report a case of POEMS that presented as relapsing acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, in which complete remission after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment was unexpectedly observed. At clinical nadir, the VEGF level was 30‐fold higher, and the soluble form of VEGF receptor 2 (sVEGFR2), which acts as a decoy for VEGF, was 2.7‐fold lower than normal. These changes combined might contribute to the pathogenesis of POEMS, inducing vascular permeability and tissue edema. At 9‐month follow‐up, during clinical remission, VEGF and sVEGFR2 were near normal values. sVEGFR2 reduction is a new finding in POEMS. IVIg treatment may benefit POEMS patients with acute neuropathy by downgrading VEGF release induced by inflammatory cytokines. Muscle Nerve, 2010     

Atypical rat cerebellar immunoreactivity in a patient with familial amyloid polyneuropathy

Objective: To describe an atypical immunoreactivity against Purkinje cells and glia of rat cerebellum in a case of transthyretin (TTR)‐related familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Background: TTR‐FAP is an autosomal dominant disease, usually presenting as a progressive sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy with autonomic disturbances. Case report: A 68‐year‐old man complained of a two‐year history of severe orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea and progressive sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The neurological examination showed a severe distal weakness at the four limbs, areflexia and distal impairment of pin‐prick sensation and proprioception. The patient was bed‐ridden because of the severe hypotension. Routine laboratory studies, autoantibodies, neoplastic markers and immunoelectrophoresis were negative; thyroid function was impaired with reduced levels of TSH, T3 and high level of anti‐tireoglobulin antibodies. An unusual reactivity against Purkinje cell membrane and glial cells of rat cerebellum white matter was found on immunohistochemistry. Western blot for the detection of onconeural antibodies (Hu, Ri, Yo and Amphiphysin) was negative. Electrophysiological studies showed a severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Chest x‐ray and chest and abdomen CT scans did not reveal any malignancies. Genetic analysis revealed a Phe 64 Leu mutation on TTR gene. Discussion: The unusual immunoreactivity found in our patient has not been previously described. Our case report may be a warning to clinicians to suspect a genetic origin in patients with polyneuropathy and atypical pattern of neuronal immunoreactivity.     

Polyneuropathy in the course of hyperthyroidism: report of a case

The authors report a pertinent documented with subsidiary examination uncommon case of sensitive-motor polyneuropathy, in the course of hyperthyroidism, looking like be coherent to give it the name of "thyrotoxic polyneuropathy". In despite of few scientific works on this subject, strong arguments are presented intending to link the process of hyperthyroidism and the progressive degeneration, distal, symmetric and simultaneous, of peripheric nerves. Final considerations show the difficulty of recognizing the etiopathogeny of the degenerative process of peripheral nerves remembering the possibility of toxic, carencial or auto-immune nature.     

A novel transthyretin mutation V32A in a Chinese man with late-onset amyloid polyneuropathy

We report a Chinese patient with amyloidotic polyneuropathy associated with a novel transthyretin mutation (V32A). He presented with slowly progressive sensorimotor polyneuropathy accompanied by autonomic dysfunction and cardiomyopathy by echocardiography. This mutation is likely to be associated with late onset and low-penetrance phenotype.     

A patient with primary Sj?gren's syndrome featuring polyneuropathy and oculomotor paralysis and associated with asymptomatic left middle cerebral artery stenosis]

We report a case of primary Sj?gren's syndrome (primary SjS) with polyneuropathy and right oculomotor paralysis associated with middle cerebral artery stenosis. A 39-year-old woman developed progressive numbness and clumsiness of the limbs. Two months later, right third cranial palsy manifested itself and she was admitted to our hospital. A cranial MRA showed left middle cerebral artery stenosis confirmed by transcranial color doppler sonography. A nerve conduction study showed a decrease in the NCV and reduced CMAP, while sural nerve biopsy showed axonal degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells around the small blood vessel walls. The patient complained of dry mouth and a salivary gland biopsy revealed inflammatory changes, while salivary gland scintigraphy showed diminished secretion. These findings led to the diagnosis of Sj?gren's syndrome. Reports of primary SjS with involvement of large cerebral arteries are rare. In our case, polyneuropathy and oculomotor paralysis were the manifest symptoms, but middle cerebral artery stenosis was also observed. This indicates that, even in the absence of CNS symptoms, cerebral artery involvement may be present in primary SjS.     

Atypical childhood chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an uncommon cause of progressive weakness in childhood. The diagnosis is easy when the clinical history and findings are supported by unequivocal electrophysiologic and laboratory evidence of demyelination, but it can be challenging if the criteria for demyelination are not met. We report a case of atypical childhood CIDP to highlight the diagnostic difficulties and the importance of recognizing this treatable condition. Muscle Nerve, 2010     

The treatment of inflammatory polyneuropathy by plasma exchange.

Observations are reported on six patients with inflammatory polyneuropathy who were treated by plasma exchange. In four cases the polyneuropathy was acute and in two it was chronic or relapsing. Two acute cases and one chronic relapsing case had plasma exchange during a rapidly progressive phase of the disease, and showed a prompt and substantial recovery of function. The other three patients were exchanged when disease activity had reached a plateau. Only minor degrees of improvement were seen in two of these cases. One patient showed an initial mild deterioration before subsequent recovery. There were no significant side effects. These findings are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis and clinical management of inflammatory polyneuropathy.     

Lethal African trypanosomiasis in a traveler: MRI and neuropathology

The authors report a case of human African trypanosomiasis with CNS involvement caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in a 52-year-old woman, which relapsed after melarsoprol treatment. After a second regimen, she developed a severe toxic polyneuropathy, progressing to coma and eventually death. MRI revealed rapidly progressive multiple white matter lesions as well as damage of the central gray matter and cortex. The autopsy results confirmed the diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis.     

Polyneuropathy with osteosclerotic myeloma — POEMS syndrome

Summary A rare form of plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by associated polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein and skin changes has been termed the POEMS syndrome. The pathophysiology is unknown; plasma cell dyscrasia is essential; secondary manifestations are unexplained. We report a 67-year-old-man with a 7-month history of progressive weakness and numbness of the legs. Clinical examination revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy, predominantly affecting the lower extremities, hepatomegaly, and skin haemangiomas. Additional investigations disclosed IgG-lambda monoclonal serum protein, endocrine abnormalities, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and an osteoblastic lesion of the lumbar vertebra. Biopsy of the osteosclerotic vertebra showed a marked lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate. MRI of the liver disclosed two haemangiomas; this association has not been reported previously.     

Neurolymphomatosis associated with muscle and cerebral involvement caused by natural killer cell lymphoma: a case report and review of literature

We report a biopsy-proven case of neurolymphomatosis (NL) presenting with sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy, polymyositis, and cerebral involvement. Ours is the second reported case of NL caused by natural killer-cell lymphoma defined by morphology and immunophenotyping. For 3 months, the patient developed stocking-glove distribution of hypesthesia, subacute progressive weakness and mental deterioration. EMG showed severe sensorimotor mixed axonal-demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Lumbar puncture revealed mildly high protein level with normal glucose and cell count. Sural nerve biopsy demonstrated lymphomatous axonal neuropathy and muscle biopsy was indicative of lymphomatous polymyositis. Brain MRI revealed multiple white matter lesions, consistent either with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or cerebral lymphoma. Bone marrow biopsy showed neoplastic infiltrates. The patient died of multiple organ failure prior to initiation of chemotherapy.     

Guillain-Barré syndrome as the first manifestation of POEMS syndrome

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder, characterized by the presence of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes. The variety of clinical pictures and asynchronous manifestation of dominant features make diagnosis difficult. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with polyneuropathy who was initially negative for monoclonal protein and so Guillain-Barré syndrome was diagnosed. Other signs and symptoms, including monoclonal gammopathy, developed later in the course of the disease and finally POEMS syndrome was diagnosed.     

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with amyotrophy and demyelinating polyneuropathy

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical and neuropathological features in a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with amyotrophy and demyelinating polyneuropathy. DESIGN: Case report. PATIENT AND RESULTS: A 62-year-old man had progressive numbness of the left foot, unsteady gait, diminished deep reflexes, fasciculations, and tactile hypesthesia on the feet. Cerebrospinal fluid, electroneurography, and electromyography were suggestive of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. He was treated with plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, and immunglobulins, with minimal improvement. After 2 months, severe amyotrophy, polyneuropathy, cerebellar signs, and dementia developed, and he died 8 months after onset of the disease. Autopsy and prion protein immunohistochemistry proved typical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. No mutation was found in the prion protein gene, and the codon 129 polymorphism was methionine-valine. In the ventral horn, the loss of the motoneurons was accompanied by prion protein immunoreactivity. The peripheral nerves were segmentally demyelinated but free of prion protein deposition. CONCLUSIONS: The view that peripheral neuropathy and amyotrophy may occasionally be an integral part of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is supported by our case, which showed these abnormalities simultaneously. These symptoms, when prominent, may cause problems in differential diagnosis.     

Acute clinical onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in a dog

We report a case of acute-onset ambulatory paraparesis with electrophysiological abnormalities compatible with axonal and demyelinating lesions in a Rottweiler dog. Although the clinical findings were compatible with acute canine idiopathic polyneuropathy, postmortem investigations revealed a chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy affecting the nerve roots. Due to the combination of acute clinical presentation and chronic pathologic features, this case is consistent with the acute-onset form of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP).     

Polyneuropathy caused by cobalt–chromium metallosis after total hip replacement

Although metal intoxication after arthroplasty causes various symptoms, polyneuropathy has never been the focus of clinical investigation. We report the case of a 56‐year‐old woman with metal neuropathy. She had metallosis after hip arthroplasty with a cobalt–chromium alloy prosthesis. She developed progressive sensory disturbance, hearing loss, and hypothyroidism. Sural nerve biopsy indicated axonopathy. After exchange arthroplasty, blood levels of cobalt and chromium decreased, and her symptoms improved. Cobalt or chromium can cause axonopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2010     

Chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy treated with azathioprine.

The results of azathioprine therapy in five patients with chronic progressive or relapsing idiopathic inflammatory polyneuropathy are described. In four patients a sustained improvement followed treatment and in the other patient azathioprine successfully replaced corticosteroid therapy. The improvement was often delayed for up to three months. The literature on the use of azathioprine in chronic polyneuropathy is reviewed. We suggest that there is a place for azathioprine treatment in patients with chronic idiopathic polyneuropathy resistant or intolerant to corticosteroid treatment.     

Necrotizing angiopathy presenting with multifocal conduction blocks.

We describe conduction block as an unusual electrophysiologic manifestation in a patient with necrotizing angiopathy. The patient developed subacute symptoms over a 1-month period consisting of progressive pain, tingling, and weakness of the lower extremities. Physical examination revealed a pattern consistent with a polyneuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies provided evidence of a conduction block in the left ulnar nerve. Pathologic studies confirmed the process to be a necrotizing angiopathy. This report establishes the role of conduction block in human nerve ischemia.     

类淀粉变性多神经病

目的　探讨类淀粉性周围神经病的临床特点及病理改变。方法　报告 3例经腓肠神经和皮肤活检证实的病例 ,结合文献分析其临床特点、病理改变及治疗。结果　本病为慢性进行性周围神经病 ,可伴有心、胃肠、肾等损伤。病理改变示刚果红染色阳性 ,可见类淀粉物沉积于神经内膜、束膜及血管壁外膜 ,有髓及无髓纤维减少 ,节段性脱髓鞘。结论　根据临床特点及周围神经皮肤活检进行诊断 ,肝移植是治疗本病最有前途的方法