Sensory neuropathy in vasculitis: a clinical, pathologic, and electrophysiologic study

• Published in: Neurology Vol. 63; no. 5; p. 874
• Main Authors: Seo, J-H, Ryan, H F, Claussen, G C, Thomas, T D, Oh, S J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 14.09.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Autoimmune Diseases - complications; Axons - pathology; Biopsy; Blood Sedimentation; Connective Tissue Diseases - complications; Cryoglobulinemia - complications; Electrophysiology; Female; Hepatitis C - complications; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Nerve Degeneration; Neural Conduction; Peripheral Nerves - pathology; Peripheral Nerves - physiopathology; Polyneuropathies - etiology; Polyneuropathies - pathology; Polyneuropathies - physiopathology; Retrospective Studies; Sensation Disorders - etiology; Sensation Disorders - pathology; Sensation Disorders - physiopathology; Vasculitis - classification; Vasculitis - complications; Vasculitis - pathology; Vasculitis - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1526-632X
• DOI: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000137017.45065.3E

Vasculitis is not usually considered as a cause of symmetric sensory neuropathy. To present the clinical, pathologic, and electrophysiologic features of 17 (16%) cases of sensory neuropathy in vasculitis (SNV) among 106 cases with histologically proven vasculitic neuropathy that were collected over the last 30 years. In 41% of cases, SNV was found as systemic vasculitic neuropathy in association with primary vasculitic disease. The most common clinical presentation was symmetric polyneuropathy, seen in 53% of cases. The most common nerve conduction pattern was diffuse neuropathy pattern of axonal degeneration. Sural nerve biopsy was diagnostic in 88% of cases. In two cases, muscle biopsy was necessary for the definite diagnosis of vasculitis. Non-systemic SNV is usually benign. Of 11 patients followed for longer than 2 years, none developed motor weakness due to neuropathy. Sensory neuropathy, regardless of symmetry, can be due to vasculitis.