CIDP presenting as recurrent severe back pain without weakness or sensory loss.

Journal article

Guillain–Barré syndrome was diagnosed in a 71-year-old woman presenting with severe back pain, limb weakness and cranial nerve dysfunction associated with high CSF protein and complete resolution of symptoms with intravenous immunoglobulin. Over the next four years, she presented with three further episodes of excruciating back pain accompanied by raised CSF protein, but did not develop and weakness, sensory loss, or abnormalities in routine nerve conduction studies. Sensory evoked potentials were suggestive of proximal demyelination, and imaging of her lumbosacral plexus was in keeping with inflammation. We argue that this is a relapsing proximal polyradiculoneuropathy on the spectrum of CIDP.

Authors: Bäumer, D; Grant, D; Knight, R; Buckley, C; Bennett, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Journal: Practical Neurology
• Publication date: 2016-06-01
• Acceptance date: 2016-05-27
• DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2016-001397
• EISSN: 1474-7766
• ISSN: 1474-7758
• Language: English
• Keywords: neuropathy; CIDP; case report