[Neurological manifestations of systemic necrotizing vasculitis]

Systemic vasculitides commonly induces peripheral neuropathies. In most cases signs and symptoms of multisystem involvement, including polyarthritis, asthma, renal and skin involvement, accompany peripheral neuropathy. In approximately one third of the patients however peripheral neuropathy is the first and only manifestation of necrotizing vasculitis. Nerve and muscle biopsy is often necessary to confirm vasculitis, which requires histological evidence for diagnosis. A focal or multifocal, axonal, ischemic neuropathy often results from involvement of nerve trunks vasa nervorum. Outcome of the neuropathy is often favorable with corticosteroids but the improvement is very slow and sometimes only partial.