Entrapment syndrome of multiple nerves in graft-versus-host disease

Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes are associated with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and a variety of rheumatic and endocrinological diseases.

We report a patient with entrapment syndromes of multiple nerves associated with chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nerve ultrasound, histology, and ultrastructural changes were assessed.

The 51-year-old man had developed severe deep dermal sclerosis due to chronic GVHD with a progressive polyneuropathy and entrapment syndromes of multiple nerves. Pre-stenotic enlargement was shown by nerve ultrasound. Histology demonstrated fibrosis of the epineurium with scarce infiltration of macrophages. Electron microscopy demonstrated alterations of the myelin sheaths and marked depletion of normal-sized myelinated nerve fibers.

In addition to polyneuropathy, chronic GVHD can be associated with peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes and should be added to the differential diagnosis of compressive neuropathies.