Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: Clinico-neurophysiological characteristics and diagnostic utility of the neuropathy symptoms score and the neuropathy impairment score

Alcohol overconsumption is well known to cause damage to the peripheral nervous system, affecting both small and large nerve fibers. The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate peripheral nerve damage, and to correlate clinical, epidemiological and neurophysiological findings, in patients diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Ninety alcohol-dependent subjects on inpatient basis were enrolled in this prospective study over a 3-year period. Every subject was assessed by the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) questionnaire and the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) clinical examination grading scale, followed by Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative Sensory Testing and Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) testing. Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 54 subjects (60%), by abnormal neurophysiological tests and presence of clinical signs or symptoms. Among them, pure large fiber neuropathy (LFN) was found in 18 subjects, pure small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in 12 subjects, and both large and small fiber neuropathy was diagnosed in 24 subjects. Using linear regression, we found that higher NSS and NIS scores correlated with lower amplitudes of the sural sensory nerve action potential and of the SSR. We also found a significant longer duration of alcohol abuse in subjects with neuropathy, using Student's t-test (p = 0.024). Additionally, applying NIS abnormal cut-off score ≥4, using ROC analysis, we predicted the majority of subjects with LFN, confirming 95.23% sensitivity and 93.75% specificity. Our study confirmed that peripheral neuropathy involving large and small nerve fibers, with a symmetrical length-dependent pattern, is common between patients with AUD and related to the duration of the disorder. We suggest that NSS and NIS scales could be used for the assessment of neuropathy in clinical practice, when the essential neurophysiological testing is not available.

Oxaliplatin-induced Acute Neurotoxicity Recovers Between Repeat Infusion Cycles: An Axonal Excitability Repeated Multiple Measurements Study

Background/Aim

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, induces acute neurotoxicity following infusion. The aim of this study was to establish whether alterations in axonal excitability develop progressively with higher cumulative doses and whether there is a recovery in motor axons after each cycle of treatment.

Patients and Methods

Twenty consecutive patients with a colorectal cancer diagnosis, referred from the Oncology Department of Aretaieion Hospital of Athens, were enrolled in this study between October 2018 and May 2019. None of the participants had diabetes, alcohol abuse, known neuropathy or were previously treated with another neo-adjuvant therapy. Threshold Tracking techniques and Qtrac software were used for assessing axonal excitability in motor axons. Excitability recordings were undertaken before and immediately after the end of oxaliplatin infusion.

Results

Statistically significant changes were found (p<0.01) in axonal excitability (relative refractory period, refractoriness at 2 ms and 2.5 ms, sub-excitability and super-excitability) before and after oxaliplatin infusion. No statistically significant changes (p>0.05) were found in threshold electrotonus and strength-duration parameters before and after oxaliplatin infusion. We also did not find statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between means of excitability parameters before infusion at each cycle.

Conclusion

Our study confirms oxaliplatin-induced acute neurotoxicity following infusion and suggests that motor axons recover between repeat infusion cycles.

Concurrent acute sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and disseminated encephalitis associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae in an adult patient with anti-MOG and anti-sulfatide antibodies: a case report

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome refer to post-infectious or post-vaccination inflammatory demyelinating disorders of central and peripheral nervous system, respectively. We report the case of a 60-year-old male patient presenting with irritability, gait difficulty, asymmetric quadriparesis (mostly in his left extremities), distal sensory loss for pain and temperature in left limbs, and reduced tendon reflexes in his upper limbs and absent in his lower limbs, following an upper respiratory tract infection, 3 weeks earlier. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal T2 signal and peripherally enhancing lesions in hemispheres, brainstem, and cerebellum. Nerve conduction studies were compatible with acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. Serology revealed positive IgM and IgG antibodies for Chlamydia pneumoniae, and he also tested positive for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and sulfatide antibodies. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone led to clinical and radiological recovery within weeks. Even though several cases of combined central and peripheral demyelination have been reported before, it is the first case report with seropositive anti-sulfatide and anti-MOG acute sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and disseminated encephalitis associated with C. pneumoniae.

Parainfectious Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an adult patient: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) refers to a rare severe acquired spinal cord inflammation, with a challenging diagnostic work-up and treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 42-year-old patient who presented with loss of temperature and pain sensation beneath the C5 dermatome in her left side and reported a history of a possible respiratory tract illness 10 days ago. Within 2 days, clinical worsening was noted, compatible with Brown-Sequard syndrome. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2 sequence abnormal signal from level C4 to T3 and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies showed only a mild pleocytosis mononuclear type. Extensive CSF and blood tests revealed only high Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM and IgG titers. Treatment with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and oral azithromycin were administrated and the patient recovered completely within two months.

DISCUSSION

We would like to highlight the importance for physicians to consider M. pneumoniae in their differential diagnosis as a potential cause when encountering patients with symptoms of ATM and inflammatory Brown-Sequard syndrome.

Elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose levels correlate with neuropathy in patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder independently of the blood thiamine levels

AIMS

Chronic alcohol consumption is well known to cause peripheral neuropathy, affecting both small and large nerve fibers. The aim of this study was to correlate biochemical and neurophysiological findings and investigate possible biomarkers and risk factors for pathogenetic mechanisms of neuropathy in patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

METHODS

Ninety patients diagnosed with AUD were enrolled in this prospective study over a period of 3 years. Serum biochemical parameters, as well as thiamine blood levels, were determined upon admission. Every subject was assessed by clinical neurological examination, followed by Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative Sensory Testing, and Sympathetic Skin Response. Fifty age and gender-matched patients without a diagnosis of AUD were used as the control group.

RESULTS

Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 54 patients (60%). Among them, pure large fiber neuropathy was found in 18 patients, pure small fiber neuropathy in 12 patients, and both large and small fiber neuropathy was diagnosed in 24 patients. Elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose levels upon admission were significantly correlated with neuropathy. Lower blood thiamine levels (than reference) were found in seven patients and were not correlated with neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that alcohol-related liver dysfunction and hyperglycemia may contribute as risk factors of peripheral neuropathy in patients diagnosed with AUD, while blood thiamine levels do not correlate with neuropathy. Moreover, we suggest that liver enzymes and the De Ritis ratio could be potentially used as biomarkers for the incidence and severity of alcohol-related neuropathy.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system in a patient with transient episodes of headache and aphasia: A case report

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) refers to a rare form of vasculitis of unknown cause, with a challenging diagnostic work-up. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient who presented with transient episodes of headache and global aphasia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis with moderate elevated protein and normal glucose. CSF and serum tests for infections and autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibodies were negative, except CSF polymerase chain reaction testing that detected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with intravenous gadolinium showed meningeal enhancement and pachymeningitis. Due to continuous relapsing episodes of aphasia, a leptomeningeal and brain tissue biopsy was performed and revealed lesions of granulomatous necrotising vasculitis of medium-sized leptomeningeal and intracranial vessels, as well as negative in situ hybridism for EBV. A diagnosis of primary granulomatous necrotising angiitis of the central nervous system was made, and the patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and oral cyclophosphamide, showing excellent response to treatment. Diversity in clinical and laboratory features makes it difficult for PACNS to be distinguished by other systemic vasculitides. Laboratory tests and neuroimaging can provide guidance in evaluation of the patients and exclude other possible causes, but tissue biopsy remains the gold standard for a definite diagnosis.

Peduncular hallucinosis associated with pontine hemorrhage in an adult patient

Peduncular hallucinosis refers to a rare neurophychiatric disorder presenting with vivid visual hallucinations, disturbances of sleep, and oculomotor dysfunction. It is typically caused by mesencephalic lesions. Nonetheless, a few cases have also been reported, in which the same syndrome was associated with thalamic and pontine lesions. We report the case of a 63-year-old male patient presenting to the Emergency Department of our hospital with irritability, gait difficulty, and diplopia of sudden onset two hours ago. Neurological examination revealed dysarthria, right facial palsy, bilateral gaze palsy, dysmetria of his left extremities, left-sided hemihypaethesia and extensory plantar response on the left. Brain computerized tomography (CT) showed a hemorrhagic lesion on the right lateral side of the pons. During his hospitalization at the Department of Neurology, he developed visual hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, insomnia, and strong emotional response. An extensive laboratory screening was performed and showed no abnormal findings. Suspecting peduncular hallucinosis due to the brainstem lesion, treatment with quetiapine and melatonin was administered to the patient and symptoms resolved completely within days. Subsequently, gradual neurological clinical improvement was also noted and two weeks after his admission, a repeated brain CT and a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed partial absorption of the brainstem hemorrhage. The patient underwent rehabilitation for two months, showing further clinical improvement, and treatment with quetiapine and melatonin was discontinued without any further episodes being noted. A repeated brain MRI was performed two months after his admission to our hospital and showed no hemorrhage, but a mixed signal intensity core and a hypointense hemosiderin rim at the location of the absorbed hemorrhagic lesion, compatible with pontine carvenoma. Peduncular hallucinosis is most commonly associated with ischemic lesions of the posterior brain blood circulation, but different lesions have been reported, like vasospasm, brain tumors, encephalitis, hemorrhage associated with vascular malformations, such as a carvenoma, as seen in our case, representing a very rare form of peduncular hallucinosis.

Pure small fiber neuropathy in alcohol dependency detected by skin biopsy

BACKGROUND

Alcohol overconsumption is well known to cause damage to the peripheral nervous system. The aim of this study was the functional and structural evaluation of the small nerve fibers in alcohol-dependent subjects, with or without symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

METHODS

Twenty-six consecutive alcohol-dependent subjects treated for detoxification voluntarily in the specialized unit of the Athens University Psychiatric Clinic were enrolled in this prospective study over 18 months. Every subject was assessed by peripheral nerve evaluation using the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) and Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), followed by nerve conduction studies (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and skin biopsy. Twenty-nine normal subjects, age- and gender-matched, constituted the control group.

RESULTS

Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 16 subjects (61.5%). Among these 16 subjects, pure large fiber neuropathy (LFN) was found in two subjects (12.5%), pure small fiber neuropathy (SFN) was found in eight subjects (50%), and both large and small fiber neuropathy was diagnosed in six patients (37.5%). The intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) of the patients' skin biopsy was significantly lower than that of the control group. Additionally, QST results showed a statistically significant sensory impairment in the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms small fiber neuropathy due to alcohol abuse with a high prevalence of pure SFN that might have remained undetected without QST and IENFD.