The clinical spectrum of inflammatory-angiopathic neuropathy

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1986 Nov;49(11):1313-6. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.49.11.1313.

Abstract

Thirty-three patients with inflammatory-angiopathic neuropathy diagnosed by sural nerve biopsy, were investigated to determine the underlying disease. Twenty-six patients had symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy and seven had mononeuropathy multiplex. An aetiology for inflammatory-angiopathic neuropathy was found in only eight patients: typical collagen vascular disease in five and malignant tumour in three. Sixteen patients received prednisone and/or immunosuppressive drug therapy and 12 (75%) responded to treatment. This study demonstrates that typical collagen vascular diseases are not the most common cause of inflammatory-angiopathic neuropathy, that symmetrical polyneuropathy is seen in 75.8% of inflammatory-angiopathic neuropathy patients. Prednisone and/or immunosuppressive agents appear effective regardless of aetiology.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Vessels*
  • Collagen Diseases / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Peripheral Nerves / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Vasa Nervorum*
  • Vasculitis / drug therapy
  • Vasculitis / etiology*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prednisone