Response to immunosuppressive therapy in patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy and associated dysimmune neuromuscular disorders

Eur Neurol. 1987;27(3):188-96. doi: 10.1159/000116154.

Abstract

We encountered 2 patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type I who had marked weakness developing during several months superimposed on chronic peroneal muscular atrophy. Further studies disclosed a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in one patient and CIDP associated with polymyositis in the other. Both patients responded to prednisone and azathioprine with substantial improvement. Patients with HMSN who develop rapid progression of weakness should be evaluated for superimposed, potentially treatable dysimmune neuromuscular disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies / complications
  • Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies / drug therapy*
  • Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons*
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / complications
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / genetics
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / complications
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Sural Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone