Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy

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Central nervous system

Polyneuropathy - chronic inflammatory; CIDP; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

• Weakness , usually in the arms and hands or legs and feet
• Facial weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty using the arms and hands or legs and feet
• Sensation changes (usually of the arms and hands or legs and feet)
  • Pain, burning, tingling, or other abnormal sensations
  • Numbness or decreased sensation

• Swallowing difficulty
• Speech impairment
• Loss of function or feeling in the muscles
• Muscle contractions
• Muscle atrophy
• Uncoordinated movement
• Dysfunctional movement
• Joint pain
• Hoarseness or changing voice
• Fatigue
• Facial paralysis
• Bowel or bladder dysfunction
• Breathing difficulty

A neurological exam shows sensory problems and weakness. Sensation problems usually occur on both sides of the body, and move from the arms and legs to the center of the body.

Reflexes are usually absent. Muscle weakness, paralysis, and loss of muscle mass may be seen. A nerve biopsy may be needed to find the cause of inflammation and rule out other nerve diseases.

A spinal tap may show high levels CSF total protein. EMG and nerve conduction tests may show that there is a loss of the myelin sheath or a wearing away of part of the nerve cell.

The selection of other tests depends on the suspected cause of the condition and may include various x-rays, imaging scans, and blood tests.

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.