Massive Peripheral Nerve Hypertrophy in a Patient with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy

Abstract

We describe a male patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy presenting extensive diffuse hypertrophy of the nerve roots of peripheral nerves. Since adolescence the patient has had a slow and progressive mainly distal loss of sensitivity and muscle weakness in all four limbs. He presented with diffuse muscle atrophy with enlarged palpable nerve trunks. Electromyography disclosed impaired sensory and motor responses in the bilateral median nerves and the right ulnar nerve. CSF examination showed elevated protein content, while MR scans depicted extensive hypertrophy of the spinal nerve roots. The patient benefitted from corticosteroid treatment.