[Marked endocrine abnormalities in polyneuritis with skin hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, edema and increased...

A syndrome which is known as plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy and various endocrine manifestations or plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, abnormal M protein and skin changes is very interesting because this syndrome has miscellaneous manifestations such as skin hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, polyneuropathy, M protein abnormality, plasma cell dyscrasia and endocrine disturbances. Miscellaneous endocrine abnormalities which have not been described so far are reported here. A 47 year old female was admitted with the chief complaints of edema and gait disturbance. Past and family histories were noncontributory. In April 1981, edema appeared in her face and legs. In June she noticed paresthesia in her legs. Edema increased gradually and she had difficulty walking. Her skin became pigmented and hairy. In October she was admitted because of polyneuropathy with increased cerebrospinal fluid protein without pleocytosis. Prednisolone was started. Walking improved slightly, but edema and paresthesia remained unchanged. Prednisolone was stopped at the end of the following March. In May 1982, she was admitted for further evaluation of edema and polyneuropathy. The patient was alert and cooperative. On standing the skin of her legs became cyanotic. There was hypertrichosis on the arms and legs. Her fingers were clubbed. A moderate swelling of the cervical lymph nodes was noted. There was mild hepatomegaly without splenomegaly. All tendon reflexes were lost. Plantar response was flexor. Muscular strength diminished mildly. She complained of paresthesia on the soles. Superficial sensation was normal. Vibratory sense decreased mildly. Cerebellar function and cranial nerves were normal. There was no sphincter disturbance. The examination of urine, stool and peripheral blood was normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)