A case of eosinophilic granulomatous polyangiitis with concurrent central and peripheral nervous system involvement

Abstract

Eosinophilic granulomatous polyangiitis (EGPA) like other antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis has multisystemic involvement. It commonly manifests with prodromal pulmonary involvement as asthma, chronic sinusitis followed by systemic vasculitic complications associated with blood and tissue eosinophilia. Central nervous system manifestations at presentation are uncommon compared with peripheral nervous system involvement. Vasculitic neuropathy in EGPA commonly presents as mononeuritis multiplex but rarely as polyradiculopathy. Late onset EGPA often presents with systemic involvement, and early diagnosis is a key to prevent further complications. The neuropathy in late onset EGPA is often refractory to immunosuppression and corticosteroids treatment. We report a case of EGPA with late onset asthma presenting with acute infarct and demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy that progressed with bulbar paralysis and profound dysautonomia. This illustrates simultaneous involvement of central and peripheral nervous system with EGPA. Autonomic dysfunction can occur in patients of EGPA with multisystem involvement, which may predict severe complications.