Multiple vascular abnormalities and a paradoxical combination of vitamin B12 deficiency and thrombocytosis in a case with POEMS syndrome.

  • J Lewerenz
  • Andreas Gocht
  • P H Hoeger
  • P von den Driesch
  • B Eckert
  • K Lamszus
  • H-J Stuerenburg
  • A Methner

Abstract

POEMS/Crow-Fukase syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder associated with elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which clinically presents with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes. We report a case of POEMS syndrome due to a gammopathy of undetermined significance with thrombocytosis, vitamin B(12) deficiency, highly elevated VEGF and in addition to glomeruloid angiomas two previously undescribed proliferative vascular lesions: a spinal arteriovenous fistula and a plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy, which ultimately resulted in lethal pulmonary hypertension. We assume that the high VEGF levels caused the vascular abnormalities observed in our patient.

Bibliographical data

Original languageGerman
Article number12
ISSN0340-5354
Publication statusPublished - 2003
pubmed 14673584