Series of paraneoplastic vasculitic neuropathy: a rare, potentially treatable neuropathy.

BACKGROUND

Paraneoplastic vasculitic neuropathy (PVN) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome. It is characterized by non-systemic subacute vasculitic neuropathy. It is most commonly associated with small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and lymphomas. PVN presents as a painful symmetrical or asymmetrical sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. The neurological symptoms may predate the tumor and may be the initial manifestations, or they may develop after a tumor is diagnosed. Recognition of this entity is important because of its potential treatability.

AIM

To study the clinical features of PVN and briefly review the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data was collected retrospectively from the medical records of our hospital.

RESULTS

Of the 14 cases of paraneoplastic neuropathies, 4 had a PVN. The age of onset was more than 50 years and there was no sex preponderance. Pain was seen in three patients. Two patients were previously treated for a thymoma. Two patients, following their presentation with PVN, were diagnosed with a colonic carcinoma and lung carcinoma, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The recognition of PVN is important as this syndrome may respond to immunosuppression and tumor removal.