ANTIBIOTIC RESPONSIVE DEMYELINATING NEUROPATHY RELATED TO LYME DISEASE

Abstract

Neuropathies that occur in the context of Lyme disease are commonly related to axonal degeneration.1 Acute demyelinating neuropathy has also been described2 and the possibility of chronic demyelinating neuropathy (CDN) has been raised.3 We report a patient who developed a demyelinating neuropathy in the context of Lyme disease. Treatment of the infection led to marked clinical and electrophysiologic recovery, suggesting an infectious rather than an immune-mediated pathogenesis. ### Case report. A 56-year-old Caucasian man developed numbness and tingling in his feet in August 2002 that within a few days spread symmetrically to the fingertips and hands. He reported weakness with heavy manual labor over the ensuing 8 weeks. He denied ataxia, cranial nerve, respiratory, or autonomic symptoms. There was no history of diabetes, thyroid disease, or renal disease. There was no exposure to toxins, chemicals, or tick bites. Family history was unremarkable and there was no history of tobacco or alcohol abuse. Cranial nerve examination was normal. Motor examination revealed normal strength in shoulder abduction and elbow flexion bilaterally but strength was Medical Research Council (MRC) grade 4 in elbow extension, …