Summary
Sensory neuropathy and its rare variant sensory neuronopathy (or pure sensory ataxic) neuronopathy are frequently considered in the context of paraneoplastic neurologic disorders. From the figures in literature concerning the incidence and further diagnostic value of paraneoplastic neuropathy it is obvious that the pure sensory type is a rare association.
Uncharacteristic sensory-motor neuropathies are most commonly observed. In a large group of cancer patients, by careful sensory testing, involvement of large myelinated fibres in the dorsal root was noted. Some authors have suggested the appearance of sensory neuropathy to be caused inflammatory mechanisms. Sensory cranial nerve symptoms or mononeuropathies have been noted in a few patients.
In the past years the appearance of paraneoplastic neuropathies has been attributed to the appearance of circulating antineuronal antibodies.
Very rarely also neoplastic infiltration of peripheral nerves occurs and is clinically indistinguishable from other causes. Three case reports illustrate the topic.
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Grisold, W., Drlicek, M., Hitzenberger, P., Jellinger, K., Liszka, U., Paternostro, T. (1995). Paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy. In: Asbury, A.K., Budka, H., Sluga, E. (eds) Sensory Neuropathies. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6595-9_18
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