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Peripheral neuropathy in cold agglutinin disease
T D Thomas1, P D Donofrio, J Angelo
1Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
Muscle & Nerve
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) can cause anemia and rash. This case study shows CAD may also lead to reversible sensory-autonomic neuropathy, treatable with standard therapies.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
- It is characterized by autoantibodies binding to red blood cells at cold temperatures.
- Typical symptoms include anemia and cold-induced skin lesions.
Observation:
- A patient presented with purpura, anemia, and cold agglutinins.
- The patient also exhibited a sensory-autonomic polyneuropathy.
- These symptoms occurred in the absence of cryoglobulinemia.
Findings:
- Treatment with corticosteroids and plasma exchange led to the resolution of both anemia and polyneuropathy.
- This suggests a potential link between CAD and sensory-autonomic neuropathy.
- The neuropathy associated with CAD may be reversible.
Implications:
- CAD might be an underrecognized cause of sensory-autonomic neuropathy.
- The findings suggest similar pathogenetic mechanisms for neuropathy in CAD and cryoglobulinemic neuropathy.
- Further research is warranted to explore the link between CAD and neurological complications.