ISSN:
1432-1459
Keywords:
Myeloma
;
Osteosclerosis
;
Polyneuropathy
;
M protein
;
Haemangioma
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A rare form of plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by associated polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein and skin changes has been termed the POEMS syndrome. The pathophysiology is unknown; plasma cell dyscrasia is essential; secondary manifestations are unexplained. We report a 67-year-old-man with a 7-month history of progressive weakness and numbness of the legs. Clinical examination revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy, predominantly affecting the lower extremities, hepatomegaly, and skin haemangiomas. Additional investigations disclosed IgG-lambda monoclonal serum protein, endocrine abnormalities, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and an osteoblastic lesion of the lumbar vertebra. Biopsy of the osteosclerotic vertebra showed a marked lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate. MRI of the liver disclosed two haemangiomas; this association has not been reported previously.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00839213
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