Brachial plexopathy associated with diffuse edematous scleroderma

Ann Med Interne (Paris). 2000 Jun;151(4):303-5.

Abstract

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement is rare in systemic sclerosis (SSc), usually restricted to peripheral nerve entrapment. To our knowledge, only one case of scleroderma with brachial plexus involvement has been reported previously. We report here on a 61-year-old woman with past history of limited cutaneous SSc who developed motor deficiency in the left arm concomitant with diffuse edematous scleroderma without evidence for trauma or compression of the brachial plexus. After six months intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide therapy, dramatic improvement of skin and neurological involvement was observed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / etiology*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Skills
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Scleroderma, Localized / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / blood
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone