INTRODUCTION: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is a rare condition caused by mutations of the transthyretin gene (TTR). We assessed the pattern of nerve ultrasound (US) abnormalities in patients with TTR-related neuropathy. METHODS: Seven patients with TTR-related neuropathy (TTR-N) and 5 asymptomatic TTR-mutation carriers (TTR-C) underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and US evaluation. RESULTS: Multifocal US abnormalities were identified in 6 of 7 TTR-N patients. A single patient with only a mild sensory polyneuropathy had normal nerves on US evaluation. In the TTR-C, we only detected an enlarged ulnar nerve at the elbow. Interestingly, disease severity correlated with number of nerves affected on US evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: No specific pattern of US abnormalities was identified in this cohort. However, in TTR-related amyloid neuropathy, US may be a helpful tool in monitoring disease progression, and/or clinical response to pharmacological treatment.
INTRODUCTION:Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is a rare condition caused by mutations of the transthyretin gene (TTR). We assessed the pattern of nerve ultrasound (US) abnormalities in patients with TTR-related neuropathy. METHODS: Seven patients with TTR-related neuropathy (TTR-N) and 5 asymptomatic TTR-mutation carriers (TTR-C) underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and US evaluation. RESULTS:Multifocal US abnormalities were identified in 6 of 7 TTR-N patients. A single patient with only a mild sensory polyneuropathy had normal nerves on US evaluation. In the TTR-C, we only detected an enlarged ulnar nerve at the elbow. Interestingly, disease severity correlated with number of nerves affected on US evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: No specific pattern of US abnormalities was identified in this cohort. However, in TTR-related amyloid neuropathy, US may be a helpful tool in monitoring disease progression, and/or clinical response to pharmacological treatment.
Authors: Luca Leonardi; Giuseppe Di Pietro; Antonella Di Pasquale; Fiammetta Vanoli; Laura Fionda; Matteo Garibaldi; Eleonora Galosi; Girolamo Alfieri; Antonio Lauletta; Stefania Morino; Marco Salvetti; Andrea Truini; Giovanni Antonini Journal: Neurol Sci Date: 2021-11-21 Impact factor: 3.830