Chronic-relapsing polyneuropathy in the course of cryoglobulinemia. Clinical aspects and plasmapheretic treatment

Abstract

During the last 3 years we have observed 7 cases (4.1%) of cryoglobulinemia-associated polyneuropathy out of 167 patients with demonstrated cryoglobulinemia. Nerve involvement in the course of cryoglobulinemia is usually symmetrical, affecting the distal portions of the limbs and has a chronic or chronic-relapsing evolution. In our experience, the combined treatment by plasmapheresis and glucocorticoids and/or cytostatic drugs has proved to be quite effective, particularly when instituted during the symptomatic exacerbations. Therefore, we suggest to perform a systematic investigation of the cryoglobulinemic phenomenon in every patient presenting with symptoms and/or signs of an apparently idiopathic polyneuropathy.