Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric polyneuropathy progressing to classic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and response to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide.

INTRODUCTION: Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric polyneuropathy (DADS) is proposed as a distinct entity from classic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
METHODS: We report a 58-year-old woman with DADS that progressed to a severe case of classic CIDP.
RESULTS: She had distal numbness and paresthesias, minimal distal weakness and impaired vibratory sensation. She had anti-MAG antibodies, negative Western blot, and lacked a monoclonal gammopathy. There were prolonged distal motor latencies. She remained stable for 6 years until developing proximal and distal weakness. Nerve conduction studies showed multiple conduction blocks. She developed quadriparesis despite first-line treatment for CIDP. She was started on cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. Twenty-five months after receiving chemotherapy, she had only mild signs of neuropathy off all immunotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: DADS may progress to classic CIDP and is unlikely to be a separate disorder. Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide may be effective for refractory CIDP.