Citations

AbstractAutonomic neuropathies represent a complex group of disorders that preferentially target autonomic fibers and can be classified as either acute/subacute or chronic in onset. Acute‐onset autonomic neuropathies manifest with such conditions as paraneoplastic syndromes, Guillain‐Barre syndrome, Sjögren syndrome, infection, or toxins/chemotherapy. When the presentation is acute, immune‐mediated, and without a secondary cause, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy is likely, and should be considered for immunotherapy. Of the chronic‐onset forms, diabetes is the most widespread and disabling, with autonomic impairment portending increased mortality and cardiac wall remodeling risk. Acquired light chain (AL) and transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis represent two other key etiologies, with TTR amyloidosis now amenable to newly‐approved gene‐modifying therapies. The COMPASS‐31 questionnaire is a validated outcome measure that can be used to monitor autonomic severity and track treatment response. Symptomatic treatments targeting orthostatic hypotension, among other symptoms, should be individualized and complement disease‐modifying therapy, when possible.

AbstractChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is characterized by progressive weakness and sensory loss, often affecting patientsʼ ability to walk and perform activities of daily living independently. With the lack of a diagnostic biomarker, the diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion, clinical findings, and the demonstration of demyelinating changes on electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing and nerve pathology. As a result, patients can often be misdiagnosed with CIDP and unnecessarily treated with immunotherapy. Interpreting the EDx testing and cerebrospinal fluid findings in light of the clinical phenotype, recognizing atypical forms of CIDP, and screening for CIDP mimickers are the mainstays of the approach to patients suspected of having CIDP, and are detailed in this review. We also review the currently available treatment options, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), corticosteroids (CCS), and plasma exchange (PE), and discuss how to approach treatment‐refractory cases. Finally, we emphasize the need to adopt objective outcome measures to monitor treatment response.

Summary: Multiple techniques have been developed for the electrodiagnostic evaluation of cranial nerves XI and XII. Each of these carries both benefits and limitations, with more techniques and data being available in the literature for spinal accessory than hypoglossal nerve evaluation. Spinal accessory and hypoglossal neuropathy are relatively uncommon cranial mononeuropathies that may be evaluated in the outpatient electrodiagnostic laboratory setting. A review of available literature using PubMed was conducted regarding electrodiagnostic technique in the evaluation of spinal accessory and hypoglossal nerves searching for both routine nerve conduction studies and repetitive nerve conduction studies. The review provided herein provides a resource by which clinical neurophysiologists may develop and implement clinical and research protocols for the evaluation of both of these lower cranial nerves in the outpatient setting.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Apart from a case series of 100 subjects in 1996 and several small cohorts, there have been no large retrospective series of cranial nerve XII (CN XII) palsy. Methods: From 1984 to 2014, 245 cases of CN XII palsy were identified via retrospective chart review using historical and exam findings that confirmed the diagnosis. In addition to clinical characteristics, univariate and multivariate models were investigated to predict neoplastic CN XII palsy. Results: Major etiologic categories included: postoperative (29.3%), idiopathic (15.1%), primary neoplastic (14.2%), metastatic malignancy (13.0%), inflammatory (7.3%), radiation (6.1%), and traumatic (4.1%). A multivariate model revealed male gender and a personal history of cancer as predictive of neoplastic CN XII palsy. Conclusions: The most frequent etiologies and disease categories of CN XII palsy were identified, and male gender and personal history of cancer were found to be predictive of a neoplastic cause of CN XII palsy. Muscle Nerve 54: 1050–1054, 2016