Vasculitic neuropathy in a patient with hereditary C1 inhibitor deficiency

Arch Neurol. 2007 May;64(5):731-3. doi: 10.1001/archneur.64.5.731.

Abstract

Objective: To report the clinical, pathological, and mutational features of hereditary C1 inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency as a cause of isolated vasculitic neuropathy.

Patient: A 35-year-old woman with sensorimotor mononeuritis multiplex and facial palsy.

Results: The sural nerve biopsy results showed a decrease of myelinated fibers with axonal degeneration and severe hypersensitivity vasculitis, with deposition of C1q on vessel walls. Mutational analysis of the C1INH gene found a new mutation, a heterozygous 2-base pair deletion in exon 8. The patient was treated with plasmapheresis and intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by oral prednisolone, which resulted in marked improvement.

Conclusion: Hereditary C1INH deficiency should be included in the differential diagnosis of nonsystemic vasculitis neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / deficiency*
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / genetics*
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein
  • Exons / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Plasmapheresis / methods
  • Polyneuropathies*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Serpins / deficiency*
  • Serpins / genetics*
  • Vasculitis / complications
  • Vasculitis / drug therapy
  • Vasculitis / genetics*
  • Vasculitis / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein
  • SERPING1 protein, human
  • Serpins
  • Prednisolone