Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): Overview, Treatment, and a Case Study

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an uncommon immune-mediated neuropathy with an often unknown etiology. Patients typically present with gradual muscle weakness, sensory loss, and reduced deep tendon reflexes. Diagnostic challenges persist due to the absence of specific lab findings and definitive criteria. Treatment commonly involves glucocorticoids, IVIG, or plasma exchange, with varied long-term outcomes. We aim to elucidate the diagnostic complexities and treatment modalities associated with chronic CIDP through a comprehensive review of a patient's clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and therapeutic interventions. A 70-year-old female with a complex medical history, including dermatomyositis and IgG subclass deficiency, presented with progressive lower extremity weakness and numbness. Initial workup including MRI and CT scans were inconclusive. She was diagnosed with CIDP based on electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction studies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Plasma exchange (PLEX) treatment was initiated but led to multifocal cerebral infarcts, complicating her course. Subsequent rounds of PLEX alongside dual antiplatelet therapy showed no adverse neurological events and yielded minimal to moderate improvement in her mobility. The patient was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation center for continued care. Elevated WBCs and other abnormal lab results were monitored throughout, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach in complex cases like this one. Our comprehensive overview of CIDP and its diagnostic and treatment complexities underscores the challenges clinicians face in both accurate diagnosis and effective management. The multifaceted approach - spanning history-taking, electrodiagnostic studies, and advanced imaging - highlights the necessity for a nuanced, evidence-based practice. The variability in treatment outcomes emphasizes the need for personalized medicine and continuous research to optimize therapeutic strategies. Given the inconclusive nature of some diagnostic tools and the variable treatment responses, there remains a clear need for ongoing study and long-term follow-up to further refine our understanding and management of CIDP.

Association of plasma neurofilament light chain with disease activity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to explore associations between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration (pg/ml) and disease activity in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and examine the usefulness of pNfL concentrations in determining disease remission.

METHODS

We examined pNfL concentrations in treatment-naïve CIDP patients (n = 10) before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) induction treatment, in pNfL concentrations in patients on maintenance IVIg treatment who had stable (n = 15) versus unstable disease (n = 9), and in clinically stable IVIg-treated patients (n = 10) in whom we suspended IVIg to determine disease activity and ongoing need for maintenance IVIg. pNfL concentrations in an age-matched healthy control group were measured for comparison.

RESULTS

Among treatment-naïve patients, pNfL concentration was higher in patients before IVIg treatment than healthy controls and subsequently reduced to be comparable to control group values after IVIg induction. Among CIDP patients on IVIg treatment, pNfL concentration was significantly higher in unstable patients than stable patients. A pNFL concentration > 16.6 pg/ml distinguished unstable treated CIDP from stable treated CIDP (sensitivity = 86.7%, specificity = 66.7%, area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.73). Among the treatment withdrawal group, there was a statistically significant correlation between pNfL concentration at time of IVIg withdrawal and the likelihood of relapse (r = 0.72, p < 0.05), suggesting an association of higher pNfL concentration with active disease.

CONCLUSIONS

pNfL concentrations may be a sensitive, clinically useful biomarker in assessing subclinical disease activity.

Systematic literature review of burden of illness in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Background

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neurological disorder characterised by muscle weakness and impaired sensory function. The present study provides a comprehensive literature review of the burden of illness of CIDP.

Methods

Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and key conferences in May 2019. Search terms identified studies on the epidemiology, humanistic burden, current treatment, and economic burden of CIDP published since 2009 in English.

Results

Forty-five full texts and nineteen conference proceedings were identified on the epidemiology (n = 9), humanistic burden (n = 7), current treatment (n = 40), and economic burden (n = 8) of CIDP. Epidemiological studies showed incidence and prevalence of 0.2–1.6 and 0.8–8.9 per 100,000, respectively, depending on geography and diagnostic criteria. Humanistic burden studies revealed that patients experienced physical and psychosocial burden, including impaired physical function, pain and depression. Publications on current treatments reported on six main types of therapy: intravenous immunoglobulins, subcutaneous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, plasma exchange, immunosuppressants, and immunomodulators. Treatments may be burdensome, due to adverse events and reduced independence caused by treatment administration setting. In Germany, UK, France, and the US, CIDP economic burden was driven by direct costs of treatment and hospitalisation. CIDP was associated with indirect costs driven by impaired productivity.

Conclusions

This first systematic review of CIDP burden of illness demonstrates the high physical and psychosocial burden of this rare disease. Future research is required to fully characterise the burden of CIDP, and to understand how appropriate treatment can mitigate burden for patients and healthcare systems.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-09998-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Isolated unilateral palatal and vocal cord palsy as an initial presentation of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Introduction

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system. Its clinical presentation and excellent response to steroids is a hallmark to the disease entity. It is usually a straight forward diagnosis in typical cases. Atypical CIDP often is of diagnostic concern and has been a challenge for practising neurologists.

Case description

Here, we present a 56-year old female presented with isolated left palatal palsy preceded by a short febrile illness. Clinically consistent with post-infectious bulbar palsy, she was treated with intravenous pulse steroids and antibiotics. She had progressive disease and later developed quadriparesis with neck flexor weakness with progressive bulbar weakness and hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Discussion and evaluation

MRI whole spine with contrast showed nerve root enhancement. Nerve conduction studies of all four limbs and LP and CSF analysis were consistent with CIDP. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg for five consecutive days). She showed mild improvement of symptoms initially and later had deterioration of symptoms within a week interval. She received two doses of Rituximab of 1 gram each within 3 weeks apart, after which she has gradual improvement. She was able to tolerate orally and able to walk without support following 1 month after treatment, and there were no further relapses except for the persistence of minor sensory symptoms after 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Isolated cranial nerve involvement presenting as CIDP is a rare entity. Intravenous immunoglobulin and newer immunosuppressants like CD-20 monoclonal antibodies like rituximab have a significant role in the treatment.

The Importance of Rare Subtypes in Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Peripheral neuropathy is a prevalent condition that usually warrants a thorough history and examination but has limited diagnostic evaluation. However, rare localizations of peripheral neuropathy often require more extensive diagnostic testing and different treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To describe rare localizations of peripheral neuropathy, including the appropriate diagnostic evaluation and available treatments.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

References were identified from PubMed searches conducted on May 29, 2015, with an emphasis on systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials. Articles were also identified through the use of the authors' own files. Search terms included common rare neuropathy localizations and their causes, as well as epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

FINDINGS

Diffuse, nonlength-dependent neuropathies, multiple mononeuropathies, polyradiculopathies, plexopathies, and radiculoplexus neuropathies are rare peripheral neuropathy localizations that often require extensive diagnostic testing. Atypical neuropathy features, such as acute/subacute onset, asymmetry, and/or motor predominant signs, are frequently present. The most common diffuse, nonlength-dependent neuropathies are Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Effective disease-modifying therapies exist for many diffuse, nonlength-dependent neuropathies including Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and some paraprotein-associated demyelinating neuropathies. Vasculitic neuropathy (multiple mononeuropathy) also has efficacious treatment options, but definitive evidence of a treatment effect for IgM anti-MAG neuropathy and diabetic amyotrophy (radiculoplexus neuropathy) is lacking.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Recognition of rare localizations of peripheral neuropathy is essential given the implications for diagnostic testing and treatment. Electrodiagnostic studies are an important early step in the diagnostic evaluation and provide information on the localization and pathophysiology of nerve injury.

Severe acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with persistent weakness associated with tumor-like nerve root enlargement

We report a 23-year-old woman with rapid onset of proximal and distal limb weakness and areflexia, associated with tumor-like spinal nerve root enlargement and markedly elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein. Our patient developed the inability to walk within days, without preceding illness. Within two weeks, she had near-complete bilateral wrist and foot drop. Her cranial nerves and respiratory function remained intact. She received intravenous immunoglobulin early on for suspected Guillain-barre syndrome but remained wheelchair-bound until 6 Plasma exchange sessions were completed. After that, she continued to improve with intravenous immunoglobulin dosed every 3-4 weeks. Prominent demyelinating features were found on NCS, with cerebrospinal fluid protein of 415 mg/dL. Comprehensive infectious work-up was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbosacral and cervical spine showed tumor-like masses mistaken for neurofibromatosis (axial diameter, 7.5-10 mm). Repeated magnetic resonance imaging 6 months later showed persistent nerve root enlargement, despite the patient's improved functional status.

Pattern-recognition approach to neuropathy and neuronopathy

Neuropathic disorders encompass those that affect the neuron's cell body or neuronopathies, those affecting the peripheral process, or peripheral neuropathies. The peripheral neuropathies can be broadly subdivided into the myelinopathies and axonopathies, conditions which can be hereditary or acquired. Each of these disorders has distinct clinical features that enable neurologists to recognize the various patterns of presentation. Once a particular pattern is established, further laboratory studies can be performed to support the clinical impression.