Upper limb pain in chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy: electrophysiological correlates.

Abstract

Pain is not usually considered a symptom of chronic relapsing demyelinating polyneuropathy. We report two patients with chronic demyelinating polyneuropathies in whom clinical and electrophysiological worsening was associated with the development of deep and distressing upper limb aching discomfort. One patient had a MGUS-associated hypertrophic demyelinating and prednisone-dependent polyneuropathy, followed over a course of two and a half years. His discomfort regularly predicted electrophysiological relapse of neuropathy, before more obvious clinical signs had emerged. Resolution of the discomfort also predicted subsequent clinical and electrophysiological improvement. Upper limb pain may be an important feature of early relapse in some patients with demyelinating polyneuropathies. Standardized serial electrophysiological testing in patients with chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy can be an important management tool in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms.

• Authors: D W Zochodne, D G Brunet
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 90 Issue 4 Pg. 270-5 (Oct 1994) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 7839814 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Prednisone

Topics

• Arm (innervation)
• Demyelinating Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Electric Stimulation
• Female
• Humans
• Leg (innervation)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurologic Examination (drug effects)
• Pain (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Paresthesia (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Peripheral Nerves (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Polyneuropathies (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Recurrence
• Synaptic Transmission (drug effects, physiology)