A case of peripheral nerve microvasculitis associated with multiple myeloma and bortezomib treatment

Muscle Nerve. 2012 Dec;46(6):970-7. doi: 10.1002/mus.23493.

Abstract

Introduction: Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy typically presents as a painful, length-dependent sensory predominant neuropathy.

Methods: A case report, including nerve pathology, is presented of a man with multiple myeloma who developed a severe motor predominant polyradiculoneuropathy in the setting of bortezomib treatment. We also review the Mayo Clinic Hematology Dysproteinemia database for patients treated with bortezomib.

Results: A 53-year-old man with Stage III multiple myeloma developed a severe motor predominant polyradiculoneuropathy following bortezomib treatment with electrophysiological features of multiple conduction blocks and pathological evidence of peripheral nerve microvasculitis. Our institutional experience is that 36.5% of dysproteinemia patients treated with bortezomib develop treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy, and the most common pattern is a painful sensory predominant peripheral neuropathy.

Conclusions: A motor predominant polyradiculoneuropathy is a rare presentation of bortezomib-associated peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma patients which may progress despite treatment withdrawal and may be due to microvasculitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Boronic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Bortezomib
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Peripheral Nerves / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use*
  • Systemic Vasculitis / drug therapy*
  • Systemic Vasculitis / etiology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boronic Acids
  • Pyrazines
  • Bortezomib