[Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as differential diagnosis to polymyalgia rheumatica]

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare disease affecting the peripheral nerves. The disease causes symmetric weakness of certain muscle groups, mainly affecting the hips and shoulders. In some patients a loss of sensitivity occurs. We report a case of symmetric and proximal weakness of the legs, which was found together with an elevation of inflammatory markers. The first tentative diagnosis was polymyalgia rheumatica; however, an interdisciplinary work-up of the case finally led to the diagnosis of CIDP in combination with infectious endocarditis.