Peripheral neuropathy and plasma cell neoplasias: a report of 10 cases

High-dose therapy and autologous blood stem cell transplantation in POEMS syndrome

We treated 5 patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome and multifocal bone lesions or diffuse bone marrow plasmacytic infiltration with high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous blood stem cell transplantation. In all cases, the treatment produced remission of plasma cell proliferation associated with marked improvement in the patients' performance status, neurologic symptoms, and other manifestations of the syndrome. HDT with stem cell support should be investigated further as a therapeutic option in patients with POEMS syndrome and disseminated plasma cell dyscrasia.

Marked improvement of severe polyneuropathy associated with multifocal osteosclerotic myeloma following surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

We describe a patient with a 3 year history of progressive polyneuropathy that rendered him severely quadriparetic and bedridden. Work up revealed an IgG lambda monoclonal spike and multifocal osteosclerotic myeloma. Remarkable improvement followed combined treatment with surgical excision, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy using chlorambucil, danazol, and hydrocortisone. Hence, we believe that aggressive local therapy associated with systemic chemotherapy should be considered in severely affected patients with multifocal osteosclerotic myeloma and peripheral neuropathy.

[POEMS syndrome]

POEMS syndrome is an acronym defined by Bardwick (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal component and Skin changes). Other various clinical and biological features are reported: edema, cachexia, microangiopathic glomerulopathy, most rarely pulmonary hypertension, cutaneous necrosis. Thrombocytosis or polycythemia may be a prominent feature. POEMS syndrome is sometimes associated with lymphoproliferative disorder. Castelman-like disease is frequently observed as pathologic findings on lymph nodes. Distinction between POEMS syndrome and osteosclerotic myeloma is delicate. The rate of the monoclonal protein is modest-always less than 30 g/L-and is almost of the lambda light chain class. In contrast to multiple myeloma this syndrome is rarely associated with hypercalcemia, skeletal fracture, renal involvement and increasing of M component during evolution. Bone marrow plasmocytosis is usually less than 15% and the kinetic phenotype and genetic characteristics of the plasma cell remain those found in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains largely unknown but overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines are reported, especially TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta. Some clinical manifestations seem to be cytokine related. Polyneuropathy and cachexia are the main cause of death. A part corticosteroid and cure of solitary bone lesion, treatment is disappointing and survival is 60% at five years.

Uncompacted myelin lamellae in polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes syndrome. Ultrastructural study of peripheral nerve biopsy from 22 patients

Mechanisms of peripheral neuropathies in polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome are poorly understood. A peripheral nerve biopsy was performed in 22 patients. Of these 9 had histological features of Castleman's disease on lymph node biopsies, and 19 had a monoclonal lambda light chain in their serum. Certain nerve fragments were paraffin embedded, others were frozen and studied by direct immunofluorescence, and others were fixed for ultrastructural examination. Paraffin-embedded fragments did not show any amyloid deposits, and at direct immunofluorescence there was no immunoglobulin fixation. At ultrastructural examination, features of uncompacted myelin lamellae (UML) were present in 19 patients, and their frequency varied from 1% to 16% of myelinated fibres. Up to now UML have been reported only in 7 patients with POEMS syndrome in the literature. UML have also been noticed in a few cases of inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis and inherited tendency to pressure palsy.

POEMS syndrome with myocardial infarction: observations concerning pathogenesis and review of the literature

A 27-year-old white man with no significant risk factors for coronary artery disease presented with a 9-month history of progressive impotence, gynecomastia, lower extremity paresthesias, and extensive myocardial infarction and subsequently developed ulcerative proctitis. A diagnosis of POEMS syndrome was made based on the clinical presentation; additional physical findings of papilledema, clubbing, and hyperpigmentation; and laboratory findings of an immunoglobulin G M component of the lambda subtype, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, and typical sclerotic bone lesions. Abnormal in vitro binding of the patient's serum immunoglobulin to testicular tissue was also seen. Cardiac catheterization showed evidence of diffuse coronary artery narrowing and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Diffuse coronary involvement and ulcerative proctitis have not been previously described in POEMS syndrome. It is hypothesized that an abnormal immunoglobin (or fragment) is responsible for both findings. Furthermore, the detection of antitesticular autoantibodies suggests the possibility of an interaction between the antibody and Leydig cells, leading to an alteration in the synthesis and release of sex steroids and thereby explaining the gonadal failure seen in this syndrome. Long-term glucocorticoid therapy for the past 5 years has resulted in marked subjective and objective improvement.

Improvement in the POEMS syndrome after administration of tamoxifen

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P.O.E.M.S. syndrome with complete recovery after treatment of a solitary plasmocytoma

The P.O.E.M.S. syndrome is a rare clinical entity that has been described mainly in Japan. It is characterized by a progressive polyneuropathy with raised CSF protein content, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, skin changes and plasma cell dyscrasia. We report a new documented case associated with a solitary plasmocytoma of the 12th thoracic vertebra. Immunopathological and ultrastructural studies of the peripheral nerve did not disclose any immune-specific changes. Surgery and radiation therapy of the plasmocytoma allowed a complete recovery, with a 5-year follow-up. This case report illustrates the need for serial full skeletal survey, including scintigraphy, in middle-aged patients with progressive polyneuropathy of obscure origin.

When do optic disc edema and peripheral neuropathy constitute poetry?

A patient with chronic, bilateral optic disc edema developed multiple systemic manifestations of POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, skin changes). A serum immunoelectrophoresis showed an abnormal serum IgG lambda protein, and urine immunoelectrophoresis revealed a monoclonal lambda protein plus an IgG lambda fragment. Bone survey and MRI scan revealed a sclerotic lesion of the first lumbar vertebra, and lymph node biopsy showed changes consistent with Castleman's disease. Thus, his optic disc edema was the presenting feature of the POEMS syndrome and osteosclerotic myeloma.

A case of POEMS syndrome associated with essential thrombocythaemia and dermal mastocytosis

We describe a case of POEMS syndrome presenting with the recognized features of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrine abnormalities, monoclonal protein, skin changes and anasarca. The patient was found to have both a solitary sclerotic plasmacytoma of the pelvis and evidence of Castleman's disease of lymph nodes. A number of unusual and unique features are also documented. Histological examination of affected skin demonstrated changes similar to urticaria pigmentosa including local oedema and mast cell infiltration. There was marked thrombocythaemia which has been seen in only one previous case and in addition the patient developed diffuse vascular calcification in the absence of recognized aetiological factors. Radiotherapy of the pelvic lesion and chemotherapy to control the myeloproliferative disorder gave rise to significant improvement in neuropathy. Control of anasarca required steroid therapy in addition to diuretics. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to previous reports.

Refractory ascites due to POEMS syndrome

A 52-yr-old woman developed exudative ascites 2 yr after the onset of peripheral neuropathy. Extensive evaluation revealed that the patient had no underlying liver disease, malignancy, infection, or cardiac or renal disease. The ascites initially responded to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. The patient had many clinical features of the recently described POEMS syndrome, including a persistent IgA lambda-paraprotein. Initially, her ascites responded to treatment with steroids. This is characteristic of the syndrome and should be considered in patients with POEMS syndrome and refractory ascites.

POEMS syndrome presenting as systemic sclerosis. Clinical and pathologic study of a case with microangiopathic glomerular lesions

A rare form of plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by the various association of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, and skin changes has been termed POEMS syndrome. The pathogenesis of the multisystemic features of this syndrome remains unclear. Herein is reported a case of POEMS syndrome with striking clinical similarities with scleroderma, and microangiopathic glomerular lesions, as well as diffuse perivascular non-amyloid deposits, which could explain certain features of the syndrome, including peripheral nerve demyelination. It is proposed that a pathogenic role might be played by a non-immunoglobulin vasculotoxic component.

Plasma cell dyscrasias: current status

This is a review of the current status of the monoclonal gammopathies (plasma cell dyscrasias). We begin with the recognition of a monoclonal protein in serum and urine. We briefly discuss the differential diagnosis of the monoclonal gammopathies. Clinical and laboratory findings as well as the management of multiple myeloma are addressed. Future approaches for the treatment of myeloma are provided. The variant forms of multiple myeloma, including smoldering myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, nonsecretory myeloma, IgD myeloma, osteosclerotic myeloma, solitary plasmacytoma of bone, and extramedullary plasmacytoma, are briefly reviewed. Diagnosis and treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia are presented. The recognition and differential diagnosis of the heavy-chain diseases (gamma, alpha, and mu) are included. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance ("benign" monoclonal gammopathy) is presented in detail. Amyloidosis is not included in this review.

POEMS syndrome. Study of a patient with proteinuria, microangiopathic glomerulopathy, and renal enlargement

We studied a patient with POEMS syndrome (plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal [M]-protein, skin changes) who was also found to have renal enlargement and microangiopathic glomerulopathy. The latter finding is unusual in POEMS syndrome patients, and the associated symptoms can lead to confusion in diagnosis. We emphasize the importance of considering POEMS syndrome in the differential diagnosis of patients who have unexplained neuropathy, scleroderma-like skin changes, and/or monoclonal gammopathy.

Reactivity of sera and isolated monoclonal IgM from patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia with peripheral nerve myelin

Sera of 23 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia and six monoclonal IgM paraproteins, which had been isolated from these sera, were examined for reactivity against peripheral nerve tissue. Of these 23 patients, 12 had clinical signs of peripheral polyneuropathy (PN). Using an indirect immunofluorescence method, all sera and monoclonal IgM preparations reacted with peripheral nerve structures, displaying a distinct granular fluorescence pattern with anti-IgM sera. The Waldenström sera reacted mainly with structures at the border of the myelin sheath, as well as between myelin and axon, and occasionally with the axon itself. There was no difference between sera of patients with PN and those without. Negative results were obtained in a complement fixation assay. Of the 23 sera, 15 reacted in an antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity reaction (ADLC) with peripheral nerve myelin, and to a much lesser extent with myelin basic protein from CNS. Five of the six isolated monoclonal IgM preparations also gave positive ADLC reactions. These results constitute additional evidence for an immunological mechanism in the pathogenesis of PN in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

Axonal attenuation and secondary segmental demyelination in myeloma neuropathies

The sural nerves of 5 patients with osteosclerotic myeloma and polyneuropathy, of 3 patients with multiple myeloma and polyneuropathy, and of 6 healthy subjects were studied by neuropathological, morphometric, and teased-fiber approaches to assess cellular (Schwann cell or axon) vulnerability and to explore the mechanism of segmental demyelination. As compared with controls, the nerves of both types of myeloma neuropathy demonstrated a statistically significant and marked loss of myelinated fibers and increased frequencies of axonal degeneration among teased fibers at statistically significant levels. The peaks of diameter histograms of myelinated fibers of osteosclerotic myeloma/polyneuropathy nerves were displaced to smaller diameter categories, suggesting fiber atrophy. Segmental demyelination and remyelination was clustered, as found in secondary demyelination. Large- and intermediate-diameter myelinated fibers of osteosclerotic myeloma/polyneuropathy nerves had significantly smaller axon calibers relative to myelin spiral length seen in electron micrographs. The loss of myelinated fiber axons, the shift of the peaks of diameter histograms to smaller sizes, the lack of noticeable increased numbers of demyelinated axons, the clustered distribution of segmental demyelination, and the axonal attenuation suggest a special axonal or neuronal vulnerability and appear to provide an explanation for the observed segmental demyelination. Whether axonal attenuation has a perikaryeal or proximal axonal genesis now needs to be determined.

Therapeutic trial of plasma exchange in osteosclerotic myeloma associated with the POEMS syndrome

A patient with osteosclerotic myeloma and POEMS syndrome, unresponsive to pulse prednisone and melphalan therapy, was admitted to the hospital for a trial of plasma exchange therapy. The presentation included IgG lambda monoclonal gammopathy, peripheral neuropathy, hepatosplenomegaly, hyperpigmentation and thickening of the skin, edema, and tense ascites. Laboratory tests confirmed hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and adrenal insufficiency. Six exchange procedures failed to affect the clinical course, and the patient died. Greater-than-one-plasma-volume exchanges (patient's measured plasma volume, 2,703 cc) were performed. When IgG and cholesterol removal were compared to the predicted removal, based on the volume of plasma removed, significantly less reduction in concentration than predicted was measured. IgG concentrations increased postapheresis and, at 2 weeks, three-fourths of the removed IgG had reaccumulated. A reduced efficiency of removal of both IgG and cholesterol can be explained by postulating increased vascular permeability with free exchange of soluble substances from one compartment to another. If an abnormal product is produced by the disease and is responsible for the clinical syndrome, a more intensive schedule of plasma exchange therapy may be needed to achieve a sustained depletion of the responsible soluble substance. Alternatively, neither increased vascular permeability or the clinical manifestations are responsive to removal of a soluble substance or are caused by a soluble substance produced by the malignancy.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells involving bone and bone marrow, frequently leading to extensive skeletal destruction, bone marrow failure, renal dysfunction, and problems related to the monoclonal myeloma proteins. Vigilant supportive care and effective chemotherapy can prolong survival and improve the quality of life in most patients.

IgM paraproteins with immunological specificity for a Schwann cell component and peripheral nerve myelin in patients with polyneuropathy

The sera of 9 patients with benign IgM paraproteinaemia and chronic sensorimotor neuropathy were tested for reactivity to human peripheral nerves by the indirect immunoperoxidase method. They reacted in very high titre (10(-3)-10(-6) with a cytoplasmic Schwann cell component, and to lesser degree, with peripheral nerve myelin (10(0)-10(-3). The Schwann cell staining was in the form of perinuclear cytoplasmic granules and was only seen with adult nerve. The distribution of the antigen was similar to that of the metachromatically staining Pi-granules of Reich, which accumulate in the peripheral nerves with age. Specific activity was present in the IgM and F(ab)2 fractions and could be absorbed out with peripheral nerve tissue, but not with liver. Reactivity is not a simple function of the IgM level, since many IgM paraproteins do not react. The antibody is species specific and binds to human, but not to any component of rabbit, rat or guinea pig sciatic nerves. Antigenicity is removed by pretreatment of the nerve with chloroform-methanol or periodate, but not protease or trypsin. Reactivity is restored, after periodate treatment, by exposure to sodium borohydride. It is suggested that some IgM paraproteins have a specificity for a myelin glycolipid or glycoprotein, which normally accumulates in the Pi-granules of the Schwann cell cytoplasm as a function of age.

Pseudoerythrocytosis in myeloma with associated peripheral neuropathy

A number of unusual features have been described in patients who have peripheral neuropathy in association with plasma cell neoplasia. Amongst these features are raised haemoglobins and increased platelet counts. We have measured the red cell mass in one such patient and have shown that the raised haemoglobin was due to a pseudoerythrocytosis. Our patient is also of interest because of his youth being only 19 years old at presentation.

Polyneuropathy and benign monoclonal gammopathy

Recently the rather frequent occurrence of benign monoclonal gammopathy (BMG) has been reported in peripheral neuropathy. Sometimes this syndrome is part of a multisystemic disorder in which organomegaly, endocrine disturbances, skin changes and focal bone lesions may also occur. The clinical picture and the cerebro-spinal fluid findings resemble the chronic relapsing Guillain-Barré syndrome. The polyneuropathy seems to be of the primarily demyelinating type. The pathogenetic relationship with the gammopathy is as yet not clear, but treatment of the plasma cell dyscrasia has a favourable effect on the polyneuropathy. We report our experiences with 5 patients with polyneuropathy and BMG and compare our clinical, laboratory and histological data with the literature.