Acute bilateral brachial plexus neuritis associated with hypersensitivity vasculitis. A case report and review of literature

Klin Wochenschr. 1985 Jul 15;63(14):643-5. doi: 10.1007/BF01732860.

Abstract

The occurrence of brachial plexus neuritis during the acute phase of vasculitis is uncommon. We describe a patient with a long history of rhinitis and a recent onset of asthma, who developed purpuric skin lesions, abdominal pain, eosinophilia and brachial neuritis along with evidence of sacral plexus neuropathy. High dose steroids and cyclophosphamide induced a remission. He stopped all medications after 3 years and after 6 years the patient has some fixed minimal residual neurological deficit. The importance of aggressive therapy in treating extensive polyneuropathy during the acute phase of hypersensitivity vasculitis is raised. A possible cytotoxic role of eosinophils in the pathological process is suggested.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Asthma / complications
  • Brachial Plexus*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Lumbosacral Plexus*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuritis / complications*
  • Neuritis / drug therapy
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Rhinitis / complications
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / complications*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / drug therapy

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone
  • Hydrocortisone