Peripheral neuropathy in COVID-19 is due to immune-mechanisms, pre-existing risk factors, anti-viral drugs, or bedding in the Intensive Care Unit / Neuropatia periférica na COVID-19 com mecanismos immunológicos, fatores de risco preexistentes, medicamentos antivirais e compressão dos nervos periféricos nos leitos da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

ABSTRACT Background: This mini-review aims to summarize and discuss previous and recent advances in the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of SARS-CoV-2-associated peripheral neuropathies. Methods: Literature review. Results: Altogether, 105 articles about SARS-CoV-2-associated neuropathy describing 261 patients were retrieved. Peripheral neuropathy in patients with COVID-19 is frequent and predominantly due to immune mechanisms or neurotoxic side effects of drugs used to treat the symptoms of COVID-19 and, to a lesser extent, due to the compression of peripheral nerves resulting from prolonged bedding in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and pre-existing risk factors such as diabetes. SARS-CoV-2 does not cause viral neuropathy. Neurotoxic drugs such as daptomycin, linezolid, lopinavir, ritonavir, hydro-chloroquine, cisatracurium, clindamycin, and glucocorticoids should be administered with caution and patients should be appropriately bedded in the ICU to prevent SARS-CoV-2-associated neuropathy. Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) benefit from immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, and steroids. Conclusions: Neuropathies of peripheral nerves in patients with COVID-19 are frequent and mostly result from immune mechanisms or neurotoxic side effects of drugs used to treat the symptoms of COVID-19 and, to a lesser extent, from the compression of peripheral nerves due to prolonged bedding on the ICU. SARS-CoV-2 does not cause infectious neuropathy.

RESUMO Introdução: A presente minirrevisão tem como objetivo resumir e discutir os avanços dos aspectos clínicos, fisiopatológicos, de diagnóstico, tratamento e evolução das neuropatias dos nervos periféricos associadas à COVID-19. Métodos: Revisão da literatura. Resultados: Foram avaliados 105 artigos sobre neuropatia associada à COVID-19. Nesses estudos, 261 pacientes apresentaram boa evolução. As neuropatias dos nervos periféricos em pacientes com COVID-19 são frequentes e se devem, principalmente, aos mecanismos immunológicos ou efeitos colaterais neurotóxicos dos medicamentos utilizados para o tratamento da COVID-19, a fatores de risco pré-existentes, como diabetes e, em menor parte, à compressão dos nervos periféricos nos leitos da UTI. A COVID-19 não causa neuropatia viral. Os medicamentos neurotóxicos, como daptomicina, linezolida, lopinavir, ritonavir, hidro-cloroquina, cisatracúrio, clindamicina e glicocorticoides devem ser administrados com cautela, e os pacientes deve ser adequadamente admitidos nos leitos da UTI para prevenir o desenvolvimento de neuropatia associada à COVID-19. Pacientes com síndrome de Guillain-Barré (GBS) se beneficiam de imunoglobulinas, plasmaférese e esteroides. Conclusões: As neuropatias dos nervos periféricos em pacientes com COVID-19 são raras e predominantemente devidas aos efeitos colaterais neurotóxicos das mecanismos immunológicos ou drogas utilizadas para o tratamento de COVID-19 e, em menor parte, devido à compressão dos nervos periféricos nos leitos da UTI. A COVID-19 não causa neuropatia infeciosa.

Digital infarct and mononeuritis in a middle aged female: always suspect Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitis

Vasculitis is a process caused by inflammation of blood vessel walls and results in a variety of disorders. Small-vessel vasculitis (vasculitis involving arteries, venules and capillaries) should be suspected in any patient who presents with a multisystem disease that is not caused by an infectious or malignant process. Testing for Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is the basis of classification of small vessel vasculitis into ANCA associated and non - ANCA associated vasculitis. Apart from cutaneous manifestations like palpable purpura and vasculitic urticaria, digital gangrene in a patient with evidence of mononeuritis multiplex is highly suggestive of ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). Clinically most of these vasculitides have overlapping clinical presentations and similar treatment. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment of AAV is recommended rather than ordering for definitive tests (e.g. histopathology or angiograms) since delay in treatment can result in serious end organ damage (pulmonary or renal).

Mononeuritis Multiplex as the Initial Manifestation of Candida Infective Endocarditis

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of mononeuritis multiplex as the initial manifestation of Candida infective endocarditis (IE). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Mononeuritis multiplex is actually a group of diseases, not a distinct disease entity. It often results from blood vessel diseases, diabetes, or inflammation due to autoimmune connective tissue disorders, although many cases are idiopathic. IE is an infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Multiple nerves were affected simultaneously in several cases of IE, making consideration of IE important in the differential diagnosis of mononeuritis multiplex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a rare case of a 71-year-old man with IE in whom mononeuritis multiplex was revealed on electromyography; further, he presented with lower back pain and sciatica. RESULTS: The presence of the characteristic symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy in this case delayed the diagnosis and proper treatment of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should carefully consider all patient-related data, and also provide accurate information to consultants when they refer patients. This can help to prevent serious complications.

An overlap syndrome of Churg-Strauss syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis / 영남의대학술지

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a necrotizing vasculitis with extra-, peri-vascular eosinophilic infiltration. Chronic symmetric polyarthritis with the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody are the mainstay of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis. Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral neuropathy involving more than 2 separate nerve areas. A 62-year-old male patient was referred for left foot drop and polyarthritis of both hands and feet for 4 months. During evaluation, mononeuritis multiplex was detected on nerve conduction study and electromyography tests: vasculitis with neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte infiltration on peroneal nerve biopsy. A positive response to methacholin and bronchodilator was observed on the pulmonary function test. Radiologic tests showed peri-articular soft tissue swelling and osteopenia on both hand and foot. Marked peripheral eosinophilia, high RF, and positive perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were detected on blood tests. Here, we report on a patient with overlap syndrome of CSS and RA with review of the relevant literature, from which a few references to overlap syndrome of CSS and RA were available.

A Case of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss, EGPA) Presenting With Relapsed Mononeuritis Multiplex

We report a case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a rare multisystem disorder characterized by difficult-to-control asthma, hypereosinophilia and polyneuropathy. We also discuss the Five Factor Score (FFS) risk stratification strategy, which is used to quantitate the extent of the disease and guide treatment strategy.

Mononeuritis Multiplex Complicating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may have different neurological manifestations. Mononerits multiplex is the most common type of peripheral nervous system involvement in adult population, but case reports in pediatric population are sparse. We are reporting a case of pediatric SLE, presenting with polyarthritis and subsequently developing mononeuritis multiplex, identified by NCV.

Vasculitis del nervio periférico: revisión clínico-patológica de 13 casos / Peripheral nerve vasculitis: clinicopathological review of 13 cases

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de las biopsias de nervio y músculo de pacientes con sospecha clínica de neuropatía vasculítica y correlacionarlas con los datos clínicos, de laboratorio y electrofisiológicos. Materiales y métodos: Fueron revisadas retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de pacientes sometidos a biopsia de nervio/músculo debido a sospecha clínica de neuropatía vasculítica en el Hospital General de Agudos Juan A. Fernández de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires entre los años 1999 y 2011. Resultados: Se incluyeron 13 pacientes, 8 (61,54 por ciento) de sexo femenino y 5 (38,46 por ciento) de sexo masculino; la edad media fue de 58,85 +/- 15,02 años. Dos tercios de los casos presentaron mononeuropatía múltiple al diagnóstico y en 9 de 12 casos el patrón electromiográfico fue axonal. La anatomía patológica del nervio mostró vasculitis definida en 6 casos (46,15 por ciento) y probable sólo en uno (7,69 por ciento), mientras que la biopsia de músculo evidenció vasculitis en el 90 por ciento de los casos (p=0,077). En el subgrupo de pacientes con diagnóstico definitivo de vasculitis sistémica primaria, el 100 por ciento de las biopsias de músculo y el 62,5 por ciento de las biopsias de nervio resultaron positivas para neuropatía vasculítica (NPV). Conclusiones: La biopsia de nervio es el único procedimiento aceptado actualmente para el diagnóstico definitivo de neuropatía vasculítica. La biopsia combinada de nervio y músculo mostró una clara tendencia, aunque no significativa, hacia una mayor utilidad diagnóstica de neuropatía vasculítica que la biopsia de nervio aislada. Consideramos que el estudio de un mayor número de casos contribuirá a aclarar esta duda.

Objective: To review the nerve and the muscle biopsies from patients with clinical suspicion of vasculitic neuropathy and their correlation with clinical, laboratory and electrophysiologic studies. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients undergoing nerve/muscle biopsy due to clinical suspicion of vasculitic neuropathy at the Juan A. Fernandez General Hospital in the city of Buenos Aires between 1999 and 2011. Results: Thirteen patients, 8 (61.54 percent) female and 5 (38.46 percent) male, mean age 58.85 +/- 15.02 years, were included. Two thirds of the patients had multiple mononeuropathy at diagnosis, and 9 of 12 cases had axonal pattern in the electromyogram. The histopathology of the nerve showed definite vasculitis in 6 cases (46.15 percent) and probable vasculitis in only one (7.69 percent), whereas muscle biopsy showed vasculitis in 90 percent of cases (p=0.077). In the subgroup of patients with definite diagnosis of primary systemic vasculitis, 100 percent of muscle biopsies and 62.5 percent of nerve biopsies were diagnostic of vasculitis neuropathy. Conclusion: Nerve biopsy in the only currently accepted procedure for definitive diagnosis of vasculitic neuropathy. The combined nerve and muscle biopsy showed a clear trend, but not statistically significant toward increased the diagnostic yield of vasculitis neuropathy that isolated nerve biopsy. A large number of cases will clarify this issue.

Ischemic Neuropathy Associated with Livedoid Vasculitis

BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculitis is a chronic dermatological problem with an unclear etiology. Clinical findings are petechiae with painful ulcers in both lower extremities, which heal to become hyperpigmented and porcelain-white satellite lesions. There are only a few reported cases of livedoid vasculitis presenting in combination with peripheral neuropathy. CASE REPORT: We report the first case of a Korean patient presenting with mononeuritis multiplex combined with livedoid vasculitis, which was confirmed by electrophysiological and pathological studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our report supports the possible vaso-occlusive etiology of livedoid vasculitis in multifocal ischemic neuropathy.

Artrite reumatóide e mononeurite múltipla: relato de caso / Arthritis rheumatoids and mononeuritis multiplex: case report

A artrite reumatóide é uma doença inflamatória sistêmica crônica que se caracteriza por acometimento das articula­ções diartrodiais e, com frequência, outros órgãos. Entre as manifestações extra-articulares é importante destacar os acometimentos cardíaco, pulmonar, dermatológico e neurológico. A mononeurite múltipla é uma das manifes­tações neurológicas da artrite reumatóide e ocorre como consequência de uma vasculite reumatóide. O objetivo des­te estudo foi apresentar um caso de paciente com artrite reu­matóide com boa evolução após o tratamento

A Case of Essential Cryoglobulinemic Neuropathy

Mixed cryoglobulinemia occurs predominantly in association with chronic liver disease, infections, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies. Mixed cryoglobulinemia is classified as essential if no primary disease is identified. We report a 42-year-old woman with a painful essential cryoglobulinemic neuropathy. She developed arthralgia, purpura, and subacute multifocal sensorimotor neuropathy. Laboratory studies did not show any associated conditions except for an elevated cryoglobulin level. An electrophysiological study and nerve biopsy were indicative of multifocal axonal neuropathy. The neuropathy was stabilized with immunosuppressive treatment.

Clinical Manifestations of Mononeuritis Multiplex in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: Mononeuritis multiplex is an extra-articular manifestation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This study set out to investigate its clinical characteristics in Korea. MEHTODS: Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were compared retrospectively by review of medical records between 12 patients with mononeuritis multiplex (case) and randomly selected 116 age-matched patients without mononeuritis multiplex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (control). RESULTS: Mean age of the case group was 51.8+/-8.4 years old with 7 males and 5 females which showed higher prevalence of male gender compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was no difference in mean duration of disease between two groups. Upper limbs, lower limbs and both upper and lower limbs were involved in 3, 7 and 2 patients, respectively. Major symptoms were tingling (66.6%), paresthesia (33.3%), pain (33.3%), foot drop (33.3%), or muscle weakness (16.7%). Skin ulceration was accompanied in 3 patients, but vasculitis of other organs was not found. Mean C-reactive protein level in the case group was 7.6+/-6.7 mg/dL, which was higher compared to 2.4+/-3.1 mg/dL in the control group (p<0.05). Rheumatoid factor was positive in 83.3% of the case, however positive rate and titer showed no significant difference with the control group. There was no difference in other extra-articular manifestations between two groups. Six patients were treated with glucocorticoid and immuno-suppressants and 6 patients with only glucocorticoid1 for 6.8+/-7.1 weeks. Symptoms improved after treatment in 10 patients but, it lasted in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Rheumatoid arthritis associated mononeuritis multiplex was more prevalent in males with higher CRP levels, and responded well to medical intervention including glucocorticoid, and immunosuppressants.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Mononeuritis Multiplex / 대한류마티스학회지

Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral neuropathy characterized by degeneration of one or more named nerve trunks in association with the systemic vasculitides. Mononeuritis multiplex occurs rarely in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and usually develops as a late complication of the disease. When mononeuritis multiplex occurs as a presenting feature of SLE, the diagnosis is often delayed causing considerable morbidity. We describe a patient who presented with mononeuritis multiplex as an initial manifestation of SLE.

Clinical Manifestations and Significance of Mononeuritis Multiplex in Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis / 대한류마티스학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Mononeuritis Multiplex in Churg-Strauss Syndrome: A case report

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) which accompanied a mononeuritis multiplex. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old woman began to suffer from an allergic rhinitis since 1985, and was diagnosed as a bronchial asthma in 1995. She also complained numbness of the upper and lower extremities, which eventually lead to a weakness and edema of both upper and lower extremities. Electrophysiologic study findings were compatible with a mononeuritis multiplex. The skin biopsy revealed a necrosis of the vessels with infiltration of a large number of neutrocytes and lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Based on the patient's clinical characteristic, skin biopsy findings and electrophysiologic study findings, we have concluded that the case fit well for CSS.

Mononeuritis Multiplex in Association with Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody(?) Vasculitis: A case report

Mononeuritis multiplex may be a manifestation of systemic vasculitis or of other illnesses such as sarcoidosis, diabetes, lymphoma, and AIDS. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody(ANCA) is a serologic marker for pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis and systemic necrotizing arteritis, including polyarteritis nodosa, Wegener's granulomatosis and so-called ANCA-associated vasculitis. We report a case of mononeuritis multiplex due to ANCA associated vasculitis. A 46-year-old female visited hospital because of peripheral edema, pain and dyspnea. We diagnosed neuropathy associated with vasculitis by electrophysiologic study, sural nerve biopsy and angiography. The patient was treated with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Her symptoms and signs improved and her ANCA test was converted from positive to negative.