Stanley S Levinson1. 1. Department of Veterans Affairs, Robley Rex Medical Center, Louisville, KY 40206, USA. levinson@louisville.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polyneuropathy organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal (M) gammopathy, skin syndrome (POEMS) may be difficult to diagnose as a result of methodological and clinical idiosyncrasies. Four of eleven criteria (M-protein, VEGF, endocrinopathy and thrombocytosis/polycythemia) are closely associated with clinical laboratory testing. POEMS has been largely associated with λ-M-gammopathies. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a recent addition to the major diagnostic criteria. VEGF may alter vascular permeability causing some manifestations of POEMS. METHODS: Review of the literature that focuses on clinical laboratory issues--endocrinological findings, identification of monoclonal gammopathies by electrophoresis and case demonstration. RESULTS: Based on the criterion of VEGF, POEMS was diagnosed in a patient with a κ-M-gammopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level IgA monoclonal proteins that are common in POEMS are often difficult to identify by serum electrophoresis (SPE). Immunofixation electrophoresis is required when polyneuropaties are investigated and an M-protein is not identified by SPE. VEGF may improve the sensitivity for diagnosis of POEMS and findings from capillary leak syndrome which are also associated with elevated VEGF and M-gammopathy suggests that κ-M-gammopathies may be implicated more often. It is demonstrated that due to computerized records, the laboratory practitioner is well suited to help the clinician make this complicated diagnosis. Published by Elsevier B.V.
BACKGROUND:Polyneuropathy organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal (M) gammopathy, skin syndrome (POEMS) may be difficult to diagnose as a result of methodological and clinical idiosyncrasies. Four of eleven criteria (M-protein, VEGF, endocrinopathy and thrombocytosis/polycythemia) are closely associated with clinical laboratory testing. POEMS has been largely associated with λ-M-gammopathies. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a recent addition to the major diagnostic criteria. VEGF may alter vascular permeability causing some manifestations of POEMS. METHODS: Review of the literature that focuses on clinical laboratory issues--endocrinological findings, identification of monoclonal gammopathies by electrophoresis and case demonstration. RESULTS: Based on the criterion of VEGF, POEMS was diagnosed in a patient with a κ-M-gammopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level IgA monoclonal proteins that are common in POEMS are often difficult to identify by serum electrophoresis (SPE). Immunofixation electrophoresis is required when polyneuropaties are investigated and an M-protein is not identified by SPE. VEGF may improve the sensitivity for diagnosis of POEMS and findings from capillary leak syndrome which are also associated with elevated VEGF and M-gammopathy suggests that κ-M-gammopathies may be implicated more often. It is demonstrated that due to computerized records, the laboratory practitioner is well suited to help the clinician make this complicated diagnosis. Published by Elsevier B.V.