Lyme disease: cause of a treatable peripheral neuropathy.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-1987
Abstract
Peripheral nerve dysfunction was demonstrated in 36% of patients with late Lyme disease. Of 36 patients evaluated, 14 had prominent limb paresthesias. Thirteen of these had neurophysiologic evidence of peripheral neuropathy; neurologic examinations were normal in most. Repeat testing following treatment documented rapid improvement in 11 of 12. We conclude that this neuropathy, which is quite different from the infrequent peripheral nerve syndromes previously described in this illness, is commonly present in late Lyme disease. This neuropathy presents with intermittent paresthesias without significant deficits on clinical examination and is reversible with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Neurophysiologic testing provides a useful diagnostic tool and an important measure of response to treatment.
Volume
37
Issue
11
First Page
1700
Last Page
1706
ISSN
0028-3878
Published In/Presented At
Halperin, J. J., Little, B. W., Coyle, P. K., & Dattwyler, R. J. (1987). Lyme disease: cause of a treatable peripheral neuropathy. Neurology, 37(11), 1700–1706. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.37.11.1700
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
3670609
Department(s)
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Document Type
Article