MULTIMODAL VISUAL-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN A CASE OF POEMS SYNDROME

Electrophysiological studies of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in a c ase of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) syndrome were performed. The subject, a 58-year-old male, had bilateral optic disc swelling. Arden's score showed sensiti vity losses at high spatial frequencies. In the short and middle laten cy VEPs elicited by flash and pattern reversal stimulation, the peak l atencies of the major components of the short latency VEPs were within normal range, but those of the middle latency VEPs were delayed. Base d on these results, the visual conduction process was normal in this c ase, but there might be some abnormalities in the cortical processing of the visual integration mechanism.