title: Cryoglobulinemic peripheral neuropathy: neurophysiologic evaluation in twenty-two patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and degree of peripheral neuropathy in 22 consecutive patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia, whether symptom-free or with subjective neurological symptoms. Electrophysiological investigations were carried out and a biopsy of the sural nerve was performed in six patients. Peripheral neuropathy of the lower limbs was demonstrated, which was mostly sensory and light or moderate in 86% of cases (19 patients). F-Wave and H-reflex recordings were found to be the most reliable methods; in 77% of cases, they were abnormal (17 patients). Using somatosensory evoked potentials, we were able to exclude simultaneous central nervous system involvement in 10 patients.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Santa Chiara Hospital, Pisa.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ciompi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siciliano
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melchiorre
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bazzichi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sartucci
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D004576:Electromyography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology