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Nerve Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Dysimmune Neuropathies
Published on: October 7, 2021
Acute motor sensory polyneuropathy (AMSAN) complicating active ulcerative colitis with a patchy distribution
Petros Zezos1, Alexandros Mpoumponaris, Petros Koutsopetras
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 424 Military General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. zezosp@hol.gr
Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica
|August 25, 2007
Summary
A rare case of acute motor and sensory neuropathy occurred during an ulcerative colitis flare. Immunosuppressive therapy improved both ulcerative colitis and the associated peripheral polyneuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) of UC can affect various organ systems.
- Neurological EIMs are uncommon but recognized complications of UC.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old male with distal UC experienced acute sensorimotor polyneuropathy during a disease flare.
- Symptoms included rapidly progressing weakness and sensory disturbances in the limbs.
- Colonoscopy confirmed moderate to severe active UC.
Findings:
- Neurological examination revealed axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, predominantly affecting lower limbs.
- Laboratory tests were largely unremarkable, except for positive anti-ganglioside antibodies (anti-GM1).
- No vitamin deficiencies or other common causes for neuropathy were identified.
Implications:
- This case highlights peripheral polyneuropathy as a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis.
- The presence of anti-GM1 antibodies suggests an autoimmune pathogenesis.
- Successful treatment with immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, azathioprine) indicates an immune-mediated mechanism.
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