Peripheral neuropathy in cold agglutinin disease.
Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) characteristically presents as anemia and cold-induced rash. We report a man with purpura, anemia, cold agglutinins, and a sensory-autonomic polyneuropathy. Treatment with corticosteroids and plasma exchange resulted in resolution of the anemia and polyneuropathy. We propose that CAD may be associated with a reversible sensory-autonomic neuropathy in the absence of cryoglobulinemia. Although unsupported by pathologic findings, pathogenetic hypotheses for the neuropathy in CAD are similar to those proposed for cryoglobulinemic neuropathy.
Thomas
T D
TD
Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
Donofrio
P D
PD
Angelo
J
J
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications*; D001706:Biopsy; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology