Asymptomatic vasculitic neuropathy

Abstract

Introduction: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical, pathological, and electrophysiological features of 21 cases of Asymptomatic vasculitic neuropathy (AsVN).

Methods: Among 270 patients with biopsy-proven vasculitic neuropathy, we identified 21 (7.8%) who had asymptomatic neuropathy.

Results: Of the 21 patients with AsVN, 11 were women and 10 were men. Their mean age was 62.5 years. Referring physicians suspected systemic vasculitis on the basis of clinical and laboratory features, but none of the patients had neuropathy by examination. Screening nerve conduction studies identified neuropathy in all patients, leading us to perform a sural nerve biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of vasculitis. Twelve patients had active (type I), 6 had inactive (type II), and 3 had probable (type III) vasculitis. Vasculitis was primary in 10 patients and secondary in 11.

Conclusions: Nerve conduction study is an important tool for identifying AsVN, a subtype of vasculitic neuropathy.

Keywords: asymptomatic; nerve conduction study; neuropathy; vasculitic neuropathy; vasculitis.