title: Polyneuropathy: an unusual extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease.
abstract: Among the extraintestinal complications of Crohn's disease, neuropathy seems to be rare, and is only exceptionally reported in the literature. The authors present the report of a patient followed over a 12-year period who developed polyneuropathy with a parallel course to Crohn's disease. There was no evidence of any other underlying condition. On one occasion, the patient developed a cutaneous vasculitis with fibrinoid deposits in the vessels. The search for circulating immune complexes was positive. The authors demonstrated increased intestinal permeability using the 51chromium-labeled ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (51Cr-EDTA) test. Ultrastructural study of a biopsy of the superficial peroneal nerve disclosed a marked denervation process. Therapeutic plasmapheresis were performed, improving the neurologic symptoms. Vasculitis with circulating immune complexes is suggested as a possible mechanism in view of the occurrence of cutaneous vasculitis, increased intestinal permeability, and plasma exchange efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Jean Minjoz, Besancon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humbert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monnier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Billerey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birgen
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dupond
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology