[Peripheral neuropathy and mixed cryoglobulinemia: clinical, neuro- physiological and pathological signs in a group of 12 patients]

Neurologia. 1994 Mar;9(3):85-91.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

This retrospective study involved a series of 12 patients with peripheral neuropathy and mixed type III cryoglobulinemia. The predominating symptoms were sensory. In patients with essential cryoglobulinemia, neuropathy most often presented as multiple mononeuropathy, while polyneuropathic forms were most common among those with secondary cryoglobulinemia. The absence of cryosensitivity was evident in secondary forms. Both neurophysiological and morphological examination revealed a predominance of axonal neuropathy. Two cases of demyelinating neuropathy were found among those with secondary cryoglobulinemia associated with monoclonal gammopathy. Although the vascular lesion was clearly demonstrable in muscle and skin tissue, this was not so in the nervous system.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Biopsy
  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications
  • Cryoglobulinemia / diagnosis*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / physiopathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / etiology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscles / physiopathology
  • Muscles / ultrastructure
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M