Cryoglobulinemic neuropathy: a pathological study

Ann Neurol. 1980 Aug;8(2):179-85. doi: 10.1002/ana.410080208.

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman developed symmetrical polyneuropathy of the lower limbs a few months after she was found to have myeloma with cryoglobulinemia. In musculocutaneous nerve biopsy material, electron microscopy showed both axonal degeneration and demyelination. The most striking finding was the presence, in the endoneurial space, of numerous masses of closely packed tubular structures. These masses also were found in the walls of all the vasa nervorum and within the lumen of some vessels. The morphological features and dimensions of the deposits within nerve were identical to those of cryoprecipitates extracted from serum and examined with the electron microscope. An example of myeloma neuropathy with cryoglobulin deposits within the endoneurial space has not been reported previously.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Capillaries / ultrastructure
  • Cryoglobulins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Muscles / innervation
  • Musculocutaneous Nerve / pathology
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure
  • Polyneuropathies / pathology*
  • Vasa Nervorum / pathology

Substances

  • Cryoglobulins