PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AFTER AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD STEM-CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

We report a case of peripheral neuropathy occurring after autologous b lood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT) for multiple myeloma. The patie nt, free of neurological symptoms, was transplanted in partial remissi on, and achieved a complete remission after transplantation. A severe peripheral, symmetric, distal sensori-motor polyneuropathy appeared at day 25 and worsened progressively until commencement of corticosteroi d therapy. A peripheral nerve biopsy showed endoneurial cellular infil trates which were predominantly composed of T cells identified by immu nocytochemistry. Ultrastructural examination showed acute axonal damag e. Electrophysiologic studies performed before and during the treatmen t were consistent with a severe axonal degeneration and showed a marke d improvement, concomitant with the favorable clinical outcome. This i s the first report of peripheral neuropathy after ABSCT.