Chronic progressive sensory ataxic neuropathy associated with limited systemic sclerosis

J Neurol Sci. 2006 Feb 15;241(1-2):103-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2005.10.010. Epub 2005 Dec 5.

Abstract

We report the case of a 33-year-old woman with limited systemic sclerosis and chronic progressive sensory ataxic neuropathy. Sural nerve biopsy showed loss of myelinated fibers mostly those of large diameter, axonal degeneration and infiltration of macrophages, but no signs of vasculitis. Physical examination, laboratory testing, neurophysiological and neuroradiological examinations suggested that the dorsal root was primarily affected in this patient. Cytokine analysis by multiplex bead array assay revealed that IL-1beta and GM-CSF were increased both in serum and CSF. Although her symptoms did not respond to corticosteroid therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy resulted in marked improvement. IVIg could be effective in case of immune-mediated reversible neuronal dysfunction associated with collagen disease without vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ataxia / complications*
  • Ataxia / metabolism
  • Ataxia / pathology
  • Ataxia / therapy
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Demyelinating Diseases / complications
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Sensation Disorders / complications*
  • Sensation Disorders / metabolism
  • Sensation Disorders / pathology
  • Sensation Disorders / therapy
  • Sural Nerve / pathology
  • Sural Nerve / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Cytokines