[Neurologic manifestations of monoclonal gammapathies]

Monoclonal gammopathies are diseases characterized by proliferation of a single B-cell clone, and include MGUS, multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. We have studied 8 patients with monoclonal gammopathy (2 "monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance" [MGUS], 2 multiple myeloma and 4 Waldenström's macroglobulinemia) and associated neurological complications (polyneuropathy, encephalopathy, noncompressive myelopathy). Of the two cases with MGUS, one is associated with polyneuropathy and the other with myelopathy. Three of the patients with Waldenström's disease have polyneuropathy and one myelopathy. Both patients with multiple myeloma had encephalopathy. At present there is no specific therapy for the neurological complications of monoclonal gammopathy; the best approach is treatment of the underlying hemopathy.