RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in proximal diabetic neuropathy
JF BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP bcr0820080656
DO 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0656
VO 2009
A1 Kawagashira, Yuichi
A1 Watanabe, Hirohisa
A1 Oki, Yumiko
A1 Iijima, Masahiro
A1 Koike, Haruki
A1 Hattori, Naoki
A1 Katsuno, Masahisa
A1 Tanaka, Fumiaki
A1 Sobue, Gen
YR 2009
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2009/bcr.08.2008.0656.abstract
AB A 57-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus for 10 years showed progressive loss of muscle strength in both legs, pain and muscle atrophy in the femoral region and significant weight loss. On admission, he could not stand alone and used a wheelchair. He also complained of severe pain in the lower extremities. He was diagnosed with proximal diabetic neuropathy (PDN) by characteristic clinical and electrophysiological features. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg 0.4 g/kg×5 days) markedly reduced the severe pain and muscle weakness in the legs. Eventually, pain assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale was relieved by 80% and muscle strength was also well recovered, thereby enabling the patient to walk with a cane. The present case suggests that IVIg therapy may be effective for the relief of pain in PDN.