title: Persistent multifocal conduction block in vasculitic neuropathy with IgM anti-gangliosides.
abstract: A 30-year-old man with essential cryoglobulinemia presented with an axonal neuropathy and was found to have vasculitis at nerve biopsy. After 44 months, in accord with clinical deterioration, motor conduction studies showed excessive temporal dispersion multifocally, with partial conduction block persisting for 3 years. Antibody testing showed the presence of IgM anti-GM1, anti-GD1a, and anti-GM2 antibodies. Transitory conduction block has been reported occasionally in patients with vasculitis. The persistent multifocal conduction abnormalities found in this patient were more likely due to a superimposed immunomediated demyelination rather than to chronic nerve ischemia secondary to vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Motor Sciences, University G d'Annunzio and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Institute of Aging, Foundation University G d'Annunzio, Via dei Vestini, I-66013, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Notturno
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Caporale
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Muzio
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uncini
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014953:Wrist / Q000294:innervation
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D007074:Immunoglobulin G