Introduction: Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a common complication of long-standing diabetes mellitus marked by neuropathic pain and sensory deficits. Evidence supporting combination antioxidant and vitamin-based therapy remains limited, particularly in patients with chronic disease. This study aims to determine symptom improvement after 12 weeks of oral alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin B complex, and vitamin E (Bionerv E+) in chronic diabetic patients with symptomatic DSPN. Methodology: This single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial at HCTM enrolled 31 patients with symptomatic DSPN, assigned to Bionerv E+ (n = 16) or placebo (n = 15) for 12 weeks. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and post intervention using the Neuropathy Impairment Score–Lower Limb (NIS LL), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF MPQ), Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Results: A total of 31 participants were recruited; 18 completed the study (11 intervention, 7 placebo). The cohort was predominantly elderly (median age 68 ± 12 years), male (51.6%), with long-standing diabetes (mean duration of 18.6 ± 8.2 years), and a mean hemoglobin A1c of 7.3 ± 0.6%. A statistically significant reduction in TCSS score was observed in the intervention arm (5.5 ± 3.8 vs 3.3 ± 3.4; p = 0.002), indicating improvement in neuropathic symptom severity in this chronic population. The SF MPQ scores showed a downward trend in both arms, but were not statistically significant. Among intervention participants who completed sural NCS, three patients demonstrated normalization, and five showed partial amplitude gains, indicating directional improvement in nerve function. Four patients with normal baseline studies exhibited further amplitude gains. Otherwise, limited improvements were observed in those with abnormal conduction velocity parameters. Bionerv E+ was well tolerated, with only mild and self-limiting adverse events reported. Conclusion Short-term supplementation with Bionerv E+ showed improvement in neuropathic symptoms among longstanding diabetic patients. However, longer-term studies with larger cohorts are necessary to determine its effects on patients with DSPN.
Thioctic Acid ; Vitamin B Complex ; Polyneuropathies ; Vitamin E

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global health impact to millions of people. There have been studies of COVID-19 patients manifesting with neurologic symptoms. Although the number of adult COVID-19 infections diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is increasing, the occurrence of cases in pediatric population remains limited or perhaps underreported. We report a rare case of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection manifesting as acute progressive ascending polyneuropathy and hyporeflexia in a 16-year-old teen. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed abnormal enhancement of the cauda equina, including the dorsal and ventral roots. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies were compatible with an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy subtype of GBS. Although lumbar puncture was not done, the clinical findings and electrodiagnostic tests were both consistent with GBS. The patient had improvement of both motor and sensory functions after completing the treatment of intravenous immunoglobulins. Neurologic manifestations of systemic illness especially in children during this time of pandemic warrants scrutiny, as these may mask a potentially dangerous and infectious ongoing COVID infection.
COVID-19 ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Polyneuropathies ; Pediatrics ; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), Lewis-Sumner syndrome (LSS), and many chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies (CIDPs) are representative of acquired multifocal polyneuropathy and are characterized by conduction block (CB). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the demyelinating distribution and the selective vulnerability of MMN, LSS, and CIDP with CB (CIDP-CB) in nerves. METHODS: Fifteen LSS subjects (107 nerves), 24 MMN subjects (176 nerves), and 17 CIDP-CB subjects (110 nerves) were included. Their clinical information was recorded, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests were conducted, and nerve conductions of the median, ulnar, radial, peroneal, and tibial nerves were evaluated. CB, temporal dispersion, distal motor latency (DML), and F-wave latency were recorded, and nerve conduction velocity, terminal latency index, and modified F-wave ratio were calculated. RESULTS: CB was more likely to occur around the elbow in CIDP-CB than in MMN (78.6% vs. 6.8%, P < 0.01) but less likely to occur between the wrist and the elbow than in LSS (10.7% vs. 39.3%, P < 0.05). Tibial nerve CB was most frequently observed in MMN (47.4%, P < 0.05). CIDP-CB was characterized by a prolonged DML in all nerves, and slow motor nerve velocity of the upper limb was significant when CB nerves were excluded (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We report the different distributions of segmental and diffuse demyelination of the ulnar and tibial nerves in LSS, MMN, and CIDP-CB. These distinct distributions could help in differentiating among these conditions.
Humans ; Neural Conduction ; Peripheral Nerves ; Polyneuropathies ; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating ; Retrospective Studies

As far as we are aware of, we report the fi rst documented case of a 51-year-old Filipino female with multifocal motor neuropathy who presented with asymmetric weakness, unusually in the lower extremity, and confi rmed with anti-GM1 antibody. The treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin with a total dose of 2 g/kg was initiated and repeated every two months with noticeable improvement based on electromyography and nerve conduction studies. Apart from the unreported Filipino case of multifocal motor neuropathy substantiated by features in clinical, electrophysiologic, antibody testing and response to immunotherapy, the unique occurrence in a female and involving the lower extremity in this rare disorder deserve this present documentation. Multifocal motor neuropathy is seen more in males with a ratio of 2.7:1. It is described as a pure motor disease without sensory defi cits and predominantly affects the upper extremities. The diagnosis for the disorder is supported by determination of ganglioside GM1 antibodies.
Immune System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies

Unexplained pain and weakness, i.e., without obvious predisposing factors, are often encountered by physiatrists and efforts should be made to determine the cause. A 63-year-old male presented with radiating pain in his right arm and mild weakness of the right hand. An electrodiagnostic examination revealed distal symmetric sensory polyneuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, and denervation potentials in the forearm muscles, which were inconsistent with the cervical spine MRI images and symptoms. A predisposing undiscovered disease was revealed, i.e., squamous cell carcinoma in the lung; brain metastasis affecting the left primary motor cortex was also detected. Therefore, we concluded that the pain and weakness were related to paraneoplastic syndrome and brain metastases of the hand knob. The observed denervation potentials were characterized as trans-synaptic changes in the brain metastasis. This case highlights the importance of unexplainable focal pain and weakness in the increasing prevalence of cancer.
Arm ; Brain ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Causality ; Denervation ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Cortex ; Muscles ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Polyneuropathies ; Prevalence ; Spine

Electrodiagnostic tests (EDX) is essential for the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). EDX could provide information about demyelinating pathology in the peripheral nerves. According to phenotypes, CIDP could be classified several phenotypes, which has different clinical manifestations, EDX could present a different distribution pattern of demyelinating lesions. In addition, EDX could be useful markers for predicting treatment response of prognosis of CIDP.
Classification ; Diagnosis ; Electrodiagnosis ; Neural Conduction ; Pathology ; Peripheral Nerves ; Phenotype ; Polyneuropathies ; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating ; Prognosis

The most prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus is neuropathy, which encompasses distal symmetric polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, radiculoplexopathy, and autonomic neuropathy. Intensive glucose control prevents and effectively halts the progression of diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, the effect of strict glucose control itself is at modest in those with type 2 diabetes. Although we have better understanding of the mechanism of diabetic neuropathy, many pharmacologic trials for the targeting underlying nerve damage have reported unsuccessful results. In this review, the effects and limitations of the current therapeutic options will be discussed.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Life Style ; Mononeuropathies ; Polyneuropathies

This article provides an overview for understanding the classification and pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathies are prevalent disorder. The most common manifestation is distal symmetric polyneuropathy, but various patterns of neuropathy can occur. New information for the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy continues to emerge, which will lead to identifying new drug targets.
Classification ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Polyneuropathies

POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, which includes polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes due to plasma cell (PC) neoplasm. Diagnosis of this disease is challenging because of its rarity and complex clinical manifestations. We attempted to identify the key clinical features and characteristic bone marrow (BM) findings of POEMS syndrome, by reviewing the medical records and BM analyses of 24 Korean patients. Frequent clinical manifestations included polyneuropathy (100%), monoclonal gammopathy (100%), organomegaly (92%), extravascular volume overload (79%), and endocrinopathy (63%). The BM analyses revealed mild PC hyperplasia (median PCs: 5.5%) and frequent megakaryocytic hyperplasia (88%), megakaryocyte clusters (88%), and hyperlobation (100%). Flow cytometry of BM aspirates using CD138/CD38/CD45/CD19/CD56 showed normal (67%, 4/6) or neoplastic PC immunophenotypes (33%, 2/6). A diagnosis of POEMS syndrome must be considered when a patient suspected of having PC dyscrasia shows the above clinical presentation and BM findings.
Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Medical Records ; Megakaryocytes ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Paraproteinemias ; Plasma Cells ; POEMS Syndrome ; Polyneuropathies ; Skin

We report two cases of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) caused by nitrous oxide (N₂O) gas intoxication, which is rarely reported in Korea. Two patients recreationally inhaled N₂O gas daily for several months. They presented with paresthesia of limbs, voiding difficulty, and gait disturbance. The initial vitamin B₁₂ levels were normal or decreased, but homocysteine levels of the two patients were increased. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed T2-weighted hyperintensity in the bilateral dorsal columns of the cervical spinal cord. Electromyography and somatosensory evoked potential tests for both patients suggested posterior column lesion of the spinal cord combined with sensorimotor polyneuropathy. According to these findings, we concluded that the two patients had SCD. The patient’s symptoms partially improved after cessation of N₂O gas inhalation and the receiving of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation therapy. As the incidence of recreational N₂O gas inhalation is increasing in Korea, physicians must be alert to the N₂O induced SCD in patients presenting with progressive myelopathy.
Cervical Cord ; Electromyography ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Extremities ; Gait ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nitrous Oxide ; Paresthesia ; Polyneuropathies ; Recreation ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine ; Subacute Combined Degeneration ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamins