Electrophysiologic findings in multifocal motor neuropathy

Neurology. 1997 Mar;48(3):700-7. doi: 10.1212/wnl.48.3.700.

Abstract

We performed detailed electrophysiologic studies on 16 patients with clinically defined multifocal motor neuropathy and found a wide spectrum of demyelinating features. Only five patients (31%) had conduction block in one or more nerves. However, in 15 patients (94%) at least one nerve showed other features of demyelination. We also noted a significant degree of superimposed axonal degeneration in 15 patients. Eight patients (50%) had individual nerves with pure axonal injury, despite the presence of demyelinating features in other nerves. Antiganglioside antibodies were elevated in four of five patients with conduction block and five of 11 patients without conduction block. We conclude that multifocal motor neuropathy is characterized electrophysiologically by a wide spectrum of axonal and demyelinating features. Diagnostic criteria requiring conduction block may lead to underdiagnosis of this potentially treatable neuropathy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / analysis
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Median Nerve / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neuron Disease / diagnosis*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Radial Nerve / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ulnar Nerve / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • G(M1) Ganglioside
  • Cyclophosphamide