[Sensory neuropathy and subacute dysautonomia. Clinical and pathological study]

We report a case of severe subacute autonomic and sensory neuropathy in a 52 year-old man. Cerebrospinal fluid protein was 275 mg/dl. Electrophysiological data were consistent with an axonal sensory neuropathy. Nerve biopsy showed a severe decrease in myelinated fibers, and a less severe loss of unmyelinated fibers. No cause was found and recovery was almost complete over 4 years, with minimal persistent dysautonomia. This case and 4 similar reported cases are compared with pure dysautonomia and with sensorimotor dysautonomic neuropathy. The site of damage is discussed and it is suggested that these cases are axonal forms of inflammatory polyneuropathy.