Abstract

BACA, Leonor; FERNANDEZ, Gabriel  and  PENZUTTI, Viviana. POEMS syndrome, the diagnostic challenge of an infrequent case. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.1, pp.43-48. ISSN 0325-2957.

The case of a 45 - year- old- man whose symptoms and signs were consistent with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes), a rare paraneoplastic disorder, has been reported. He had a previous history of smoking, hypothyroidism and a 20 kg weight loss. It was emphasized that a detailed clinical history and examination followed by laboratory and radiological studies and bone marrow biopsy, among others tests, were necessary in order to recognise the components of this syndrome and not to delay the time of diagnosis. This patient had two mandatory criteria (monoclonal gammopathy and sensorimotor polyneuropathy), one major criterion (bone lesion) and several minor criteria (endocrine disorders, cutaneous manifestations, organomegaly). He is currently under the supervision of the doctors of the hematology department and continues neurological follow-up, having a good response to the specific therapy. Rare diseases like this syndrome are a diagnostic challenge for health professionals.

Keywords : POEMS syndrome; Polyneuropathy; Organomegaly; Endocrinopathy; Skin changes; Monoclonal gammopathy; Skin changes; Takatsuki syndrome; Crow-Fucase syndrome.

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