POEMS Syndrome: Report of Three Cases with Review of the Literature

Abstract

Polyneuropathy (P), organomegaly (O), endocrinopathy (E), monoclonal gammopathy (M), and skin changes(S) (POEMS) syndrome is a rare multisystemic disease that occurs in the setting of plasma cell dyscrasia. Several hundred cases have been reported in world literature. The exact prevalence is not known as the syndrome may be underreported. We reported three such cases (two males, one female) over a period of five years (January 2005 to December 2009). The clinicopathological, radiological, biochemical, and therapeutic outcome data of all the three cases are presented with a review of literature. Awareness about this entity and multidisciplinary approach is essential to make a diagnosis in these patients.

Keywords

• POEMS syndrome
• Polyneuropathy
• Radiology
• Therapy
• Outcome