HEPATITIS-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIC MULTIPLE MONONEUROPATHY (CRYOGLOBULINEMIC NEUROPATHY)

History and clinical findings: A 56-year-old woman with hepatitis C ha d symptoms of a polyneuropathy with asymmetrical distal pareses and pa inful sensory disturbances in the limbs. Investigation: In addition to positive serology for hepatitis C cryoglobulins were demonstrated and complement C4 was reduced. Biopsy of the sural nerve showed a vasculi tic neuropathy. Treatment and course: The multiple neuropathy (cryoglo bulinaemic neuropathy), associated with hepatitis C, was treated with corticosteroids (starting with 60 mg/d prednisolone) and the neurologi cal abnormalities regressed well. Conclusion: Vasculitis associated wi th hepatitis C should be included in the differential diagnosis of per ipheral neuropathy.