The POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopa
thy, skin changes) syndrome is a rare plasma cell disease with multiorgan i
nvolvement and varying clinical manifestations. We report a 38-year-old man
who presented with scleroderma-like skin changes of the hands and feet, si
cca and Raynaud's syndrome, pleural effusions, glomerulopathy, polyneuropat
hy, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Steroid treatment was started o
n the assumption of a connective tissue disease and led to a temporary impr
ovement. During the further course of the disease, hypothyreosis, monoclona
l gammopathy and osteosclerotic bone lesions were detected, leading to the
diagnosis of POEMS syndrome. This case emphasises the need to consider POEM
S syndrome as a differential diagnosis in patients with signs of connective
tissue disease and polyneuropathy.