Polyneuropathy in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Deposition of M component on myelin sheaths.
A chronic sensory neuropathy was the initial symptom in a case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia in a 53-year-old woman. Ultrastructural analysis of a biopsied peripheral nerve revealed a modification of the lamellar structure of the myelin sheath. Immunofluorescent microscopy showed IgM-positive deposits on the myelin sheath. The monoclonal globulin (M component) present in the myelin appears to be a causative factor in the neuropathy.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
D007075:Immunoglobulin M