title: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) presenting with polyneuropathy--a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aim to characterize a group of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) with an initial presentation of peripheral neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 11 patients with EGPA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common chief complaint was neuropathic limb pain and numbness (100%), followed by extremity weakness (82%). Nine (82%) patients had acute to subacute onset. All patients had a history of asthma and serum eosinophilia of more than 11%. Combining clinical and electrophysiological data, 10 (91%) patients demonstrated notable asymmetric involvement, whereas 1 patient presented with a length-dependent symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy. All patients improved significantly after immunotherapy, with average time to improvement of 9 weeks. Ten (91%) patients improved steadily and experienced no relapse, whereas 1 relapsed within the first year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGPA should be suspected in patients with asymmetric axonal peripheral neuropathy associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment help to achieve favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santos-Pinheiro
authors.forename: Yuebing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents