A Case of Essential Cryoglobulinemic Neuropathy

ABSTRACT

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.