[Vascular neuropathies]

Abstract

Vasculitic neuropathy is an important cause of peripheral neuropathy because of its potentially severe prognosis and an early recommended therapy. Diagnosis is easy when the clinical presentation is an acute, painful, multiple mononeuropathy but more difficult when presenting as a polyneuropathy. Electrophysiologic studies play an important role in the diagnosis. Muscle and nerve biopsies confirm the vasculitic process and demonstrate ischemic neuropathy lesions. Polyarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis and non-systematic vasculitic neuropathy are the main conditions of vasculitic neuropathy. Usual treatment includes a combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.