Ann Clin Neurophysiol.  2017 Jul;19(2):79-92. 10.14253/acn.2017.19.2.79.

Paraproteinemic neuropathy

• Pyun SY
• Kim BJ

• KMID: 2387228
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14253/acn.2017.19.2.79

Abstract

Paraproteinemia is caused by a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells or B lymphocytes. Approximately 10% of idiopathic neuropathies are associated with paraproteinemia, where a certain paraprotein acts like an antibody targeted at constituents of myelin or axolemma in peripheral nerves. The relationship between paraproteinemia and peripheral neuropathy remains unclear despite this being of interest for a long time. Neurologists frequently find paraproteinemia during laboratory examinations of patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy, especially in the elderly. The possibility of a relationship with paraproteinemia should be considered in cases without an explainable cause. We review the causal association between paraproteinemia and neuropathy as well as clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiologic features, and the treatment options for paraproteinemic neuropathy.

Keyword

Monoclonal gammopathy; Paraproteins; Peripheral neuropathy; POEMS Syndrome; Multiple myeloma; Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

MeSH Terms

Aged
B-Lymphocytes
Humans
Multiple Myeloma
Myelin Sheath
Paraproteinemias
Paraproteins
Peripheral Nerves
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Plasma Cells
POEMS Syndrome
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
Paraproteins

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