title: Sensomotor axonal peripheral neuropathy as a first complication of polycythemia rubra vera: A report of 3 cases.
abstract: METHODS
  Female, 64 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Polycythemia rubra vera Symptoms: Burning pain • cramps • hypesthesia • itching • paresthesia
  
  
  METHODS
  - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Neurology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Unusual clinical course.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The association between polycythemia vera and peripheral neuropathy has been described previously but only as a late complication and only with sensory axonal polyneuropathy. We presume the cause of polyneuropathy was hypoxia due to higher blood viscosity and dysfunction of platelet aggregation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the cases of 3 female patients with symptoms and signs of slowly progressive sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy confirmed with clinical and neurographic examination as first complication of polycythemia vera, which progressed to a major complication. Axonal damage was irreversible despite venipuncture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polycythemia vera is rarely manifested with symptoms of sensomotor polyneuropathy as the first signs of the disease, and should therefore be recognized by physicians to prevent further axonal damage and major complications of disease by venipuncture or cytostatic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihalj
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Titlić
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonacin
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dogaš
keywords: axonal peripheral neuropathy; hypoxia; polycythemia vera; venipuncture