Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: from bench to bedside

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common treatable chronic autoimmune neuropathy. Multiple diagnostic criteria have been established, with the primary goal of identifying neurophysiologic hallmarks of acquired demyelination. Treatment modalities have expanded to include numerous immunomodulatory therapies, although the best evidence continues to be for corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). This review describes the pathology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of CIDP.

Figure 1

Temporal dispersion and conduction block observed recording from the ulnar nerve at the abductor digiti minimi in a patient with CIDP. The proximal amplitude is lower with longer duration typical of temporal dispersion.