Asymmetric sensory ganglionopathy: a case series

Abstract

Introduction: Sensory ganglionopathies are uncommon but potentially very disabling. They have heterogeneous etiologies including autoimmune, paraneoplastic, toxic, and inflammatory although many remain idiopathic despite intensive investigation. Asymmetric sensory loss is relatively common at the onset, but with time, symptoms usually spread to involve all limbs symmetrically.

Methods: We report 6 patients with a persistent strikingly asymmetrical sensory ganglionopathy with acute or subacute onset and slow progression.

Results: Peripheral nerve biopsies in 5 patients showed axonal loss without significant inflammation; a dorsal root ganglion biopsy in 1 patient showed neuronal loss and inflammatory infiltrate. Four patients received immunomodulatory treatment, but overall the response to treatment was poor.

Conclusions: Asymmetrical sensory ganglionopathies may have an inflammatory basis. Immunomodulatory therapy may be considered early in the disease course, although in this series there was a limited response to treatment.