Vasculitic neuropathy : clinical electrophysiological and histopathological characterstics

The clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features of 16 patients with vasculitic neuropathy were evaluated. Vasculitic neuropathy accounted for 5.3 of biopsy proven cases of various neuropathies. They included 7 cases of systemic vasculitic neuropathy (SVN) and 9 cases of nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN). Mononeuritis multiplex, both clinically and electrophysiologically was seen in neoropathy in 11 (69.7) patients. Three patients had sensory neuropathy. All the patients had anecrotizing vasculitis on nerve biopsy. Axonal degeneration was seen in teased fibers in all the patients. Fifteen patients were treated with steroids and one patient with cyclophosphamide. Seven patients with NSVN recovered completely. Two patients withSVN were left with asymmetical foot drop and one patient with NSVN developed bilateral mild claw hands. There were no deaths.