Neurological impairment in a patient with concurrent cervical disc herniation and POEMS syndrome
Tingxian Ling, Limin Liu, Yueming Song, Shilian Zhou, Chunguang Zhou
June 2019, Volume 28, Issue 2, pp 51 - 55 Case Report Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-019-05914-5
First Online: 13 February 2019
Purpose
POEMS syndrome is a rare clonal plasma cell disease characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes. We report a rare case of neurological impairment in patients with concurrent cervical disc herniation and POEMS syndrome.
Methods
A patient presented to a local hospital with C3/4 and C4/5 disc herniation, apparent spinal cord compression concomitant with neurological signs, and concurrent POEMS syndrome. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was performed.
Results
The limb numbness was only slightly alleviated, and 10 days postoperatively the patient complained of muscle weakness of the extremities and was referred to our hospital. The patients exhibited non-typical neurological signs and an enlarged liver and spleen that could not be explained. Electroneuromyography and immunofixation electrophoresis produced abnormal results. We diagnosed concurrent POEMS syndrome, for which drug therapy was prescribed. The patient’s symptoms receded.
Conclusion
Patients presenting with cervical spondylopathy and non-typical neurological signs and symptoms or other systemic problems should be evaluated for the presence of concurrent disease and ruled out differential diagnoses.
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