title: POEMS syndrome - A case report revealing a complex evolving diagnosis.
abstract: Description of POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy, Skin changes) goes back to 1938 when a patient with sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, hyperpigmemntation, solitary plasmacytoma, and elevated cerebral spinal fluid protein was reported. Since then, numerous other cases of this condition have been described by various authors including one that followed the first case 18 years later about two patients. Even though this rare condition still remains an oddity in diagnosis calling for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion due to its manifestation with varied clinical features. We present a case of POEMS syndrome that started as an episode of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and elevated levels of digestive enzymes not previously reported.
authors: Department of Internal medicine, The University of Toledo medical Center 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, 43614 ; Department of Internal medicine, Flower Hospital 5200 Harroun Rd, Slyvania, Ohio, 43560.
authors: David N
authors: DN
authors: Gachoka
authors: Department of Pathology, Flower Hospital 5200 Harroun RD, Slyvania, Ohio, 43560.
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Prince
keywords: Amylase; immunoglobulin; lambda light chain; lipase; monoclonal; smudge cells