Sensory neuropathy in vasculitis: a clinical, pathologic, and electrophysiologic study.
BACKGROUND
Vasculitis is not usually considered as a cause of symmetric sensory neuropathy.


OBJECTIVE
To present the clinical, pathologic, and electrophysiologic features of 17 (16%) cases of sensory neuropathy in vasculitis (SNV) among 106 cases with histologically proven vasculitic neuropathy that were collected over the last 30 years.


RESULTS
In 41% of cases, SNV was found as systemic vasculitic neuropathy in association with primary vasculitic disease. The most common clinical presentation was symmetric polyneuropathy, seen in 53% of cases. The most common nerve conduction pattern was diffuse neuropathy pattern of axonal degeneration. Sural nerve biopsy was diagnostic in 88% of cases. In two cases, muscle biopsy was necessary for the definite diagnosis of vasculitis. Non-systemic SNV is usually benign. Of 11 patients followed for longer than 2 years, none developed motor weakness due to neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Sensory neuropathy, regardless of symmetry, can be due to vasculitis.
Seo
J-H
JH
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Chonju, Republic of Korea.
Ryan
H F
HF
Claussen
G C
GC
Thomas
T D
TD
Oh
S J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology