Essential Cryoglobulinemia Presenting as Polyneuropathy and Cerebral Infarction

Abstract

Cryoglobulinemia is a rare medical condition defined by presence of cryoglobulins in serum and it may cause hyperviscosity syndrome or systemic vasculitis in variable organs including the skin, joints, liver, kidneys, lungs and nervous system. A vasculitic polyneuropathy or mononeuritis multiplex commonly occurs. However, central nervous system complications of cryoglobulinemia including stroke, encephalopathy and seizures are rarely reported. We represent a case of essential cryoglobulinemic vasculitis manifested as a sensorimotor polyneuropathy combined with an acute ischemic stroke attack. Key Words: Cryoglobulinemia, Polyneuropathy, Cerebral infarction