POEMS syndrome presentation with progressive weakness in upper and lower limbs: A case report

Cao,Chuang‑Jie; Dou,Cheng‑Yun; Zhou,Ke‑Hua; Liu,Jin‑Bo; Lai,Hong

doi:10.3892/ol.2017.6904

POEMS syndrome presentation with progressive weakness in upper and lower limbs: A case report

Authors:
- Chuang‑Jie Cao
- Cheng‑Yun Dou
- Ke‑Hua Zhou
- Jin‑Bo Liu
- Hong Lai
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Affiliations: Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑san University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China, Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China, Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
Published online on: September 6, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6904
Pages: 5197-5202
Copyright: © Cao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M proteins, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare variant of plasma cell disorders with multiple systemic manifestations. A 50‑year‑old female patient presented with progressive weakness in her upper and lower limbs; tingling, numbness and burning in her feet; polyneuropathy (demyelinating in the majority of cases of POEMS syndrome); monoclonal plasma cell disorder (typicallyλ‑restricted in cases of POEMS syndrome); sclerotic lesions on the spine and pelvis; organomegaly, including hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy; edema; pleural effusion; adrenal, thyroidal, pituitary, gonadal and pancreatic endocrinopathy; skin changes, including hyperpigmentation, dry skin and hypertrichosis; thrombocytosis; pulmonary hypertension; low vitamin B12 and weight loss. Following the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, the patient was treated only with pain‑alleviating corticosteroids. Respiratory failure‑induced mortality occurred 24 months after the patient first experienced difficulty walking and numbness in her lower extremities. The present study suggests that abnormal symptoms in cases of POEMS syndrome should be further evaluated during the diagnosis and treatment.

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