[Noncompressive myelopathy and dysglobulinemia. A fortuitous association? Discussion of 3 new cases]

Sem Hop. 1984 Apr 12;60(16):1109-12.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Three new cases of myelopathy without compression associated with paraproteinemia are reported. The neurologic picture was that of spinal muscular atrophy in one case and chronic spinal combined sclerosis in two. The nature of the paraproteinemia is discussed: all three patients seem to have had benign monoclonal dysglobulinemia. One patient died from cardiovascular disease five years after onset, and another from complications related to decubitus seven years after onset. Postmortem examination was not possible in either case. Spinal muscular atrophy has been reported in certain carcinomas (lung, stomach, breast) and, less frequently, in macroglobulinemia. As benign dysglobulinemia is common after sixty, coincidental association cannot be outruled. However, data from the literature and the response to cancer chemotherapy in two patients suggest an original pathologic association. Recent demonstration of demyelinating neuropathies associated with benign paraproteinemia provide further evidence in support of such an association.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Protein Disorders / complications*
  • Blood Protein Disorders / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Examination
  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / complications
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains