Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: Case Reports

Abstract

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a chronic demyelinating neuropathy mainly characterized by multifocal distribution; affecting only motor nerve fibers of two or more peripheral nerves, with the absence of symptoms and signs of upper motor neuron; chronic, sometimes cascading progressive course; demyelination with partial block of motor conduction; immune-mediated pathogenesis and good response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment (IVIG). The diagnosis of MMN is based on clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological characteristics. Steroids are ineffective in MMN and may lead to worsening of the disease. Similarly, therapeutic plasma exchange is negligibly effective in this neuropathy. However, more than 80% of patients with MMN experience improvement after IVIG. We present our three cases of MMN with positive response to IVIG.

Keywords

• Polyneuropathies
• Demyelinating diseases
• Peripheral nerves
• Motor neurons
• Immunoglobulins, intravenous