title: Chronic-relapsing polyneuropathy in the course of cryoglobulinemia. Clinical aspects and plasmapheretic treatment.
abstract: During the last 3 years we have observed 7 cases (4.1%) of cryoglobulinemia-associated polyneuropathy out of 167 patients with demonstrated cryoglobulinemia. Nerve involvement in the course of cryoglobulinemia is usually symmetrical, affecting the distal portions of the limbs and has a chronic or chronic-relapsing evolution. In our experience, the combined treatment by plasmapheresis and glucocorticoids and/or cytostatic drugs has proved to be quite effective, particularly when instituted during the symptomatic exacerbations. Therefore, we suggest to perform a systematic investigation of the cryoglobulinemic phenomenon in every patient presenting with symptoms and/or signs of an apparently idiopathic polyneuropathy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010956:Plasmapheresis
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex