Sensory multiple mononeuropathy induced by pravastatin use: from a case report to literature's review / Mononeuropatia múltipla sensitiva induzida pelo uso de pravastatina: de um relato de caso à revisão de literatura

Statins are frequently prescribed in clinical practice for their proven efficacy in prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Despite the recognized beneficial effects of this class of drugs, in recent years, many studies published in medical literature have shown a wide range of adverse effects as a consequence of this therapy, including the risk of peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of this article is to report a case in which clinical features consistent with multiple mononeuropathy probably secondary to use of pravastatin were observed. The case report is followed by a review of the relevant literature.

As estatinas são frequentemente prescritas na prática clínica por sua comprovada eficácia na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares e cérebrovasculares. Apesar dos reconhecidos efeitos benéficos dessa classe medicamentosa, nos últimos anos, diversos estudos publicados na literatura médica vem evidenciando uma ampla variedade de efeitos colaterais como consequência desta terapia, incluindo o risco de neuropatias periféricas. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar um caso no qual foram observadas manifestações clínicas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de mononeuropatia múltipla sensitiva, provavelmente secundária ao uso de pravastatina. O relato de caso é acompanhando de uma revisão de dados pertinentes da literatura.

The clinical electrophysiology and pathological characteristics of 15 cases of vasculitic neuropathy / 中华内科杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical features,electrophysiology and neuropathological characteristics of peripheral nerves in patients with vasculitic neuropathy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical,electrophysiology and neuropathological characteristics of 15 patients with vasculitic neuropathy who underwent electrophysiology and sural nerve biopsy in our department from January 2009 to June 2013.Results There were 8 males and 7 females,aged from 38 to 82 years old,with a peripheral neuropathy course ranged from 0.5 month to 60 months.In the total of 15 patients,3 patients were diagnosed as nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy,while the other 12 patients were diagnosed as systemic vasculitis neuropathy (SVN) including 5 cases of primary systemic vasculitis and 7 cases of secondary systemic vasculitis.In patients diagnosed as primary systemic vasculitis,there were 2 cases of Churg-Strass syndrome (CSS) and 3 cases of ANCA associated vasculitis.In patients diagnosed as secondary systemic vasculitis,there were 1 case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),2 cases of sicca syndrome (SS),3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),1 case of Behcet' s disease associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma,1 case of hepatitis B and 1 case of RA-associated SS.For the pathological features of vasculitic neuropathy,type 1 lesion was found in 4 patients,type 2 lesion in 2 patients,and type 3 lesion in 9 patients.Axon degeneration was observed in 8 patients,while 7 patients manifested as axon degeneration associated with demyelination and local thickening of the perineurium was found in 2 patients.Conclusion Multiple mononeuropathy and asymmetric polyneuropathy are the common clinical presentations of vasculitic neuropathy.Electrodiagnostic testing almost always reveals the evidence of a predominantly axonal and sensorimotor process with associated demyelination presented in some cases.Sural nerve biopsy showes changes indicative of an axonopathy.

Electrophysiologic Characteristics in Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical findings and the results of an electrophysiological study in seven patients with a systemic necrotizing vasculitis and neuropathy. METHOD: Clinical and electrophysiological studies were performed in seven patients of whom three had a polyarteritis nodosa, other three a Churg-Strauss syndrome, and one an overlapping syndrome. RESULTS: In the electrophysiological study, five patients presented an overlapping multiple mononeuropathy, one a multiple mononeuropathy and the other one a distal symmetric polyneuropathy. The neuropathies were mainly axonopathies with a decreased amplitude of compound motor action potential and sensory nerve action potential; however one patient showed the conduction blocks in the tested nerves. In electromyography, the most prominent feature was a neurogenic pattern with fibrillation potentials and reduced recruitments. No patient had a myopathic pattern. CONCLUSION: The most prominent features of the systemic necrotizing vasculitis patients with neuropathy were the axonopathic findings in the nerve conduction studies and neurogenic pattern in the electromyographic studies. Electrodiagnostic study was helpful for the diagnosis of vasculitic neuropathy, however further studies would be necessary to clarify the characteristics of the neuropathy of polyarteritis nodosa and the Churg-Strauss syndrome.