[Neuropathy in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (author's transl)]

Four cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy associated to peripheral neuropathy are described. The neuropathy was mixed, sensory and motor, more or less extensive, always asymetrical. In two cases, the clinical symptomatology and the clinical course were very peculiar, characterized by sensory disorders of a precise topography, circumscribed and sometimes suspended and by a relapsing and remitting course. In the third case, the neurological signs were acute and rapidly extensive with mandatory respiratory assistance. In this case, death occurred after a few weeks and the exact diagnosis was only attained at post-mortem examination. In the fourth case the neuropathy was very painful but the course was slow. In all four cases marked and extensive pain was present prior to the neurological disorders. Electrophysiological abnormalities were a constant feature with a marked slowing down of nerve conduction velocity. CSF was normal at the beginning in one case but was otherwise markedly pathological with an increased number of cells due to a large number of lymphocytes ranging from 6 to 40 cells while protein ranged from 60 to 160 mg per 100 ml. Nerve and muscle biopsies were non specific, i.e. neurogenous muscular atrophy and demyelination, except in case n. 4 where specific angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy infiltrates were present both in nerve and muscle. In cases 1 and 3 a non specific lymphohistiocytic infiltrate was present in spinal roots and meninges. Corticotherapy was used and efficient in two cases. These data are compared with a review of the literature. Since 1976, 7 cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy associated to peripheral neuropathy have been reported. Clinical, electrophysiological and biological features are similar. Only one case underwent a post mortem examination of the central nervous system: a non specific lymphocytic infiltration in the spinal roots and meninges was mentioned. The role of the dysproteinemia associated with the AIL in the occurrence of the neuropathies is discussed. It remains a possible factor only. The role of a massive specific localization of the pathological process is well established in only one case (case 4). Such localization in lymphomas are not unusual. In 2 of our cases as well as in 2 from the literature the pathological findings are non specific: mild lymphoplasmocytic infiltrates of spinal roots and meninges. Those lesions are similar to neuropathies associated to non metastasizing neoplasms or malignant hemopathies.