Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy

Alternative names:

polyneuropathy - chronic inflammatory

Symptoms:

• weakness, usually in the arms and hands or legs and feet
• facial weakness
• difficulty walking
• difficulty using the arms and hands or legs and feet
• sensation changes (usually of the arms and hands or legs and feet)
  • pain, burning, tingling, or other abnormal sensations
  • numbness or decreased sensation

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• swallowing difficulty
• speech impairment
• loss of muscle function or feeling in the muscles
• muscle contractions
• muscle atrophy
• movement, uncoordinated
• movement, dysfunctional
• joint pain
• hoarseness or changing voice
• fatigue
• facial paralysis
• eyelid drooping

Signs and tests:

A neuromuscular examination shows sensory and movement abnormalities. There is a slowly progressive pattern of weakness or sensation changes. Sensation deficits usually occur in a symmetrical pattern, and progress from the extremities to central locations. Reflexes may be decreased or abnormal. Muscle weakness or paralysis of the affected area may be present, and muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass) may be apparent. Nerves may be physically palpable.

A spinal tap may show elevated CSF total protein or other abnormalities that indicates an inflammatory neurologic process. Nerve conduction tests may indicate loss of the myelin sheath (slow conduction rate) or degeneration of the axon of the nerve cell (normal conduction rate).

The selection of other tests is guided by the suspected cause of the disorder, as suggested by the history, symptoms, and pattern of symptom development. The tests may include various X-rays, scans, and blood tests.