title: [A case of sensory ataxic axonal polyneuropathy with IgGλ monoclonal gammopathy successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy].
abstract: We report the case of an 84-year-old man with sensory ataxic polyneuropathy and IgGλ monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. He had developed progressive ataxic gait over the span of 2 years before he was admitted to our hospital. On admission, he was unable to walk without assistance because of severe sensory ataxia. He performed poorly on the finger-nose-finger and heel-knee tests, and his vibration and position sense in the feet was remarkably diminished. However, motor involvement was not remarkable. Serum immunoelectrophoresis revealed IgGλ monoclonal gammopathy, and MGUS was diagnosed. Nerve conduction studies revealed sensory-dominant axonal polyneuropathy. The patient was successfully treated with IVIG (400 mg/kg/day, for 5 days). He regained his capacity to walk independently after treatment, but his nerve conduction results remained unchanged. This sensory ataxia might be partially due to underlying cervical spondylotic myelopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first report in our country of the successful use of IVIG therapy to treat a patient with IgGλ monoclonal gammopathy and related sensory ataxic axonal polyneuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Yokohama Brain and Spine Center, 2) Dempartment of Neurology, Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital.
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanatsuka
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Imazeki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001259:Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous