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Aim: Neuropathy is a frequent complication of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), the most common being a demyelinating polyneuropathy with anti‐myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies, but also cryoglobulins, vasculitis, neurolymphomatosis, and amyloidosis. We describe a patient with IgM/kappa WM who presented with a severe, not length‐dependent, peripheral neuropathy as clinical onset of IgM/kappa‐related amyloidosis. Methods: A 69‐year‐old woman came to our attention for weight loss, gait imbalance and sensory loss at upper limbs. In her medical history, she was in hematological follow‐up for WM, and had undergone left carpal tunnel release. At neurological evaluation she had weakness and loss of sensation at upper limbs up to the elbows, more at the left side, gait was unsteady with right foot drop. Hypotrophy and areflexia were present at four limbs. Sensory loss and vibration sense were dramatically reduced. She underwent extensive diagnostic workup. Results: Laboratory workup revealed an IgM/kappa monoclonal paraprotein of 16 g/L and increased NT‐proBNP; anti‐MAG antibodies were absent. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated a population of neoplastic B‐lymphocytes. Total‐body CT scan and echocardiogram were negative. Neurophysiology revealed a symmetric, no length dependent sensory‐motor polyneuropathy Periumbilical fat biopsy was positive for amyloid. Sural nerve biopsy detected amyloid in the wall of an epineurial vein. Conclusions: This case report describes a rare and unusual manifestation of IgM‐related AL amyloidosis in WM. The patient presented with a subacute clinically asymmetric neuropathy with no pain or dysautonomic features as clinical onset of IgM/kappa‐related amyloidosis. Sural nerve biopsy was crucial for the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary neuropathies may result from mutations in genes expressed by Schwann cells or neurons that affect selectively the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or may represent a minor or major component of complex inherited diseases that involve also the central nervous system and/or other organs and tissues. The chapter is constantly expanding and reworking, thanks to advances of molecular genetics; next‐generation sequencing is identifying a plethora of new genes and is revolutionizing the diagnostic approach. In the past, diagnostic sural nerve biopsies paved the way to the discovery and elucidation of major genes and molecular pathways associated to most frequent hereditary motor–sensory neuropathies. Nowadays, a sural nerve biopsy may prove useful in selected cases for the differential diagnosis of an acquired neuropathy when clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, and molecular tests are not sufficiently informative. Skin biopsy has emerged as a minimally invasive window on the PNS, which may provide biomarkers of progression and clues to the physiopathology and molecular pathology of inherited neuropathies. The aim of our review is to illustrate the pathological features of more frequent and paradigmatic hereditary neuropathies and to highlight their correlations with the roles of the involved genes and functional consequences of related molecular defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minifascicular neuropathy (MN) is a rare, autosomal recessive disease with prominent structural changes of peripheral nerves. So far, it has been observed in females with a 46,XY karyotype and mutations of the Desert Hedgehog (DHH) gene, thus linking MN to gonadal dysgenesis (GD) and disorders of sex development (DSD). However, a 46,XX proband with normal female sex and gender development underwent clinical evaluations, nerve conduction studies and genetic screening for a severe motor‐sensory neuropathy with a pathological phenotype that hinted at MN. Indeed, sural nerve biopsy revealed a profound disturbance of perineurium development with a thin and loose structure. High‐resolution ultrasound (HRUS) also disclosed diffuse changes of nerve echotexture that visibly correlated with the pathological features. After extensive genetic testing, a novel homozygous DHH null mutation (p.Ser185*) was identified in the proband and in her sister, who was affected by a similar motor‐sensory neuropathy, but was eventually found to be a 46,XY patient according to a late diagnosis of DSD with complete GD. DHH should therefore be considered as a possible cause of rare non‐syndromic hereditary motor‐sensory neuropathies, regardless of DSD. Furthermore, HRUS could effectively smooth the complex diagnostic workup as it demonstrated a high predictive power to detect MN, providing the same detailed correlations to the pathologic features of the nerve biopsy and Dhh−/− mice in both sisters. Hence, HRUS may assume a pivotal role in guiding molecular analysis in individuals with or without DSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies can be challenging with consequent difficulties in patients' management. The aim of this study was to explore the current diagnostic role of sural nerve biopsy and to compare pathological findings with serum neurofilament light chain levels (NfL) as biomarkers of axonal damage. We collected demographic, clinical, and paraclinical data of patients referred over 1 year to the Neurology Unit, University of Verona, Italy, to perform nerve biopsy for diagnostic purposes, and we analyzed NfL levels in available paired sera using a high sensitive technique (Quanterix, Simoa). Eighty-two patients were identified (37.8% females, median age 65.5 years). Neuropathy onset was frequently insidious (68.3%) with a slowly progressive course (76.8%). Lower limbs were usually involved (81.7%), with a predominance of sensory over motor symptoms (74.4% vs 42.7%). The most common neuropathological findings were a demyelinating pattern (76.8%), clusters of regenerations (58.5%), and unmyelinated fibers involvement on ultrastructural evaluation (52.4%). A definite pathological diagnosis was achieved in 29 cases, and in 20.7% of patients, the referral clinical diagnosis was modified. Coexistent hematological conditions and hepatitis were diagnostic confounding factors (p = 0.012 and 0.034, respectively). In the analyzed paired sera (n = 37), an inverse despite not significant relationship between NfL values and fiber density was observed (Spearman's rho − 0.312, p = 0.056). In addition, we noted increased serum NfL values of patients with active axonal degeneration. Nerve biopsy remains a useful diagnostic investigation to achieve a correct diagnosis and guide patients' management in selected cases of peripheral neuropathy. Serum NfL is an accessible and potential valuable marker of axonal damage in these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurolymphomatosis, the infiltration of the peripheral nervous system from lymphoid cells, represents an uncommon manifestation of lymphomas. We describe the challenging diagnostic work‐up in a patient with neurolymphomatosis. A 58‐year‐old woman with previous breast diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with chemo‐ and radiation‐therapy, presented with dysesthesias, neuropathic pain at left abdomen and thigh, and weakness at left lower limb 9 years after disease remission. Neurophysiology revealed left T10‐L4 radiculo‐plexopathy with no abnormalities at cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), nerve ultrasound, and 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT). MR‐neurography disclosed left rectus abdominis muscle atrophy, neurogenic edema, and denervation. Radiation‐induced damage, paraneoplastic, infectious radiculo‐plexopathies, and atypical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy were ruled out. Neurolymphomatosis was suspected, and the patient treated with rituximab with improvement. Despite treatment, the radiculo‐plexopathy eventually extended to the right side and sacral roots. Later in the disease course, sural nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Maintenance therapy was continued, until cutaneous localizations occurred, requiring salvage therapy and autologous stem cell transplant. Although rare, neurolymphomatosis should be considered in all patients with lymphomas and unexplained peripheral nervous system involvement. Hematological, CSF, and neuroimaging findings may be unremarkable, and a high index of suspicion required in order to achieve the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe clinical features, disease course, treatment response, and sural nerve biopsy findings in a patient with chronic sensory ataxic neuropathy, Binet stage A chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and monoclonal IgMλ paraprotein against ganglioside GD1b. During 9 months of hospitalization at two neurologic centers, the patient underwent serial neurologic examinations, neurophysiologic studies, imaging investigations, extensive laboratory work‐up, bone marrow, and sural nerve biopsies. The patient had a severe progressive sensory neuropathy accompanied by motor involvement, dysautonomia, and marked bulbar weakness with preserved ocular movements. Conduction studies were characterized by prolonged F‐wave minimal latencies, prolonged distal latencies, reduction of compound motor action potentials, and absence of sensory nerve action potentials. Sural nerve biopsy showed endoneurial edema, axonal degeneration, and regeneration, in the absence of cellular inflammation, macrophagic activation, and B‐lymphocyte infiltration; no IgM or complement deposition was detected. Myelinated fibers showed redundant/abnormally thickened myelin, myelin vacuolation, and frank intramyelinic edema with condensed axoplasm. Ultrastructural features included axo‐glial detachment, disruption of membrane integrity, and myelin uncompaction. This study shows that monospecific anti‐GD1b IgM paraprotein is associated with non‐inflammatory nerve damage. We suggest that the loss of myelin and axonal integrity reflects antibody‐induced disruption of membrane lipid rafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peripheral nervous system may be involved at any stage in the course of lymphoproliferative diseases. The different underlying mechanisms include neurotoxicity secondary to chemotherapy, direct nerve infiltration (neurolymphomatosis), infections, immune‐mediated, paraneoplastic or metabolic processes and nutritional deficiencies. Accordingly, the clinical features are heterogeneous and depend on the localization of the damage (ganglia, roots, plexi, and peripheral nerves) and on the involved structures (myelin, axon, and cell body). Some clinical findings, such a focal or diffuse involvement, symmetric or asymmetric pattern, presence of pain may point to the correct diagnosis. Besides a thorough medical history and neurological examination, neurophysiological studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, nerve biopsy (in selected patients with suspected lymphomatous infiltration) and neuroimaging techniques (magnetic resonance neurography and nerve ultrasound) may be crucial for a proper diagnostic workup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal-dominant transthyretin (TTR)-related amyloidosis usually manifests in the second to fourth decade with a length-dependent axonal neuropathy with prominent involvement of the small fibers and multi-organ systemic failure. We retrospectively analyzed seventeen probands, including thirteen apparently isolated cases, carrying eight mutations of TTR gene (age of onset = 60.4 ± 13.5 years). Thirteen patients were initially un/misdiagnosed; interval from onset to definite diagnosis was 3.3 ± 2.3 years. Inaugural syndromes were a length-dependent motor-sensory neuropathy in seven cases, a sensory neuropathy in four, an isolated carpal tunnel syndrome in three, a pure dysautonomia in two, and a painful neuropathy in one. Atypical presentations included demyelinating nerve conduction changes with increased cerebrospinal fluid proteins resembling chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and a predominantly motor involvement resembling a motor neuron disorder. Misleading findings also included amyloid-negative abdominal fat aspirate/biopsy, biclonal gammopathy, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity. Sural nerve biopsy detected amyloid deposits in thirteen of fifteen patients, including one case with a previous negative biopsy. TTR-immunohistochemistry was necessary to complete the diagnosis of primary amyloidosis light chain in a patient with biclonal gammopathy. A recurrent p.Phe64Leu mutation manifested in the seventh decade with painful motor-sensory polyneuropathy, dysautonomia, bulbar palsies, and fasciculations. TTR should be tested in a wide clinical spectrum of cryptogenetic, progressive, and motor-sensory neuropathies even manifesting with a very late onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the introduction of non-invasive techniques in the study of peripheral neuropathies, sural nerve biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of several neuropathies, including vasculitic neuropathy and neurolymphomatosis. Besides its diagnostic role, sural nerve biopsy has helped to shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms of different neuropathies. In the present review, we discuss how pathological findings helped understand the mechanisms of polyneuropathies complicating hematological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathological evidence of amyloid on nerve biopsy has been the gold standard for diagnosis in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN) for a long time. In this article, we reviewed the pathological findings of a large series of sural nerve biopsies from a cohort of hATTR-PN patients, collected by different Italian referral centers. Patients and Methods: We reviewed clinical and pathological data from hATTR-PN patients, diagnosed and followed in five Italian referral centers for peripheral neuropathies. Diagnosis was formulated after a positive genetic test for transthyretin (TTR) mutations. Sural nerve biopsy was performed according to standard protocols. Results: Sixty-nine sural nerve biopsies from hATTR-PN patients were examined. Congo red positive deposits were found in 73% of cases. Only the Phe64Leu mutation failed to show amyloid deposits in a high percentage of biopsies (54%), as already described. Unusual pathological findings, such as myelin abnormalities or inflammatory infiltrates, were detected in occasional cases. Conclusions: Even if no longer indicated to confirm hATTR-PN clinical suspicion, nerve biopsy remains, in expert hands, a rapid and inexpensive tool to detect amyloid deposition. In Italy, clinicians should be aware that a negative biopsy does not exclude hATTR-PN, particularly for Phe64Leu, one of the most frequent mutations in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]