[Painful bilateral lumbar radiculoplexopathy associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection]

We report a case of polyneuropathy caused by primary Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection in a 57-year-old patient. The primary EBV infection was confirmed by serology tests and EBNA (Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen) seroconversion. The main clinical sign was a highly painful subacute, bilateral lumbar radiculoplexopathy with amyotrophy which responded to corticosteroids and complement treatment within a few months. The association of left facial paralysis, neurophysiological signs of polyradiculopathy and elevated protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid demonstrate the variability of peripheral neurological involvement in the same subject with EBV infection. This case also demonstrates the poorly limits of dysimmune polyneuropathies, including lumbar radiculoplexopathy which can be considered as an exceptional variant.