A case of severe neuropathy associated with hypertriglyceridemia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of severe neuropathy associated with hypertriglyceridemia.


METHODS
We describe the clinical and laboratory findings of the study patient and review the relevant literature.


RESULTS
A 45-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with recurrent abdominal pain and severe peripheral neuropathy. Her laboratory data revealed elevated lipase and a very high triglyceride concentration (>10,000 mg/dL), consistent with a diagnosis of recurrent hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis. Workup for peripheral neuropathy showed normal concentrations of thyrotropin, fasting blood glucose, vitamin B(12), and creatinine, as well as a normal hemoglobin A(1c) level, serum protein electrophoresis, and urine protein electrophoresis. Rapid plasma reagin antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and lyme antibodies were not detected. In the absence of other identifiable causes, hypertriglyceridemia was deemed the likely etiology of severe neuropathy in this patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral nerve conduction abnormalities can be identified in patients with mild hypertriglyceridemia in the absence of symptoms. Early recognition and aggressive management of hypertriglyceridemia may prevent the complications of severe peripheral neuropathy.
Hou
Runhua
R
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. runhua.hou@gmail.com
Goldberg
Anne Carol
AC
Tobin
Garry Stuart
GS
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology