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Semin Neurol 2010; 30(4): 356-364
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1267279
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Inflammatory Neuropathies

Jackie Whitesell1
  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Utah Clinical Neurosciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 October 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Inflammatory neuropathies are acquired disorders of peripheral nerves and occasionally of the central nervous system that can affect individuals at any age. The course can be monophasic, relapsing, or progressive. Inflammatory neuropathies are classified as acute or chronic. The acute form reaches a nadir by 4 weeks and the chronic form over 8 weeks or greater. The most common example of an acute inflammatory neuropathy is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), which is part of the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The most common chronic inflammatory neuropathy is chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (CIDP). Other chronic inflammatory neuropathies are multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and the Lewis-Sumner syndrome. The Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis occur acutely and have clinical overlap with AIDP.

KEYWORDS

Guillain-Barré syndrome - acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy - chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy - multifocal motor neuropathy - Lewis-Sumner syndrome

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Jackie WhitesellM.D. 

Department of Neurology, University of Utah Clinical Neurosciences Center

175 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132

Email: Jackie.Whitesell@hsc.utah.edu