Korean J Med.
2012 Jul;83(1):107-112.
A Case of POEMS Syndrome Associated with Sarcoidosis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. skysong3@hanmail.net
Abstract
- POEMS syndrome is a monoclonal plasma cell disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes. Pulmonary manifestations of POEMS syndrome are common, with frequent symptomatic and asymptomatic respiratory involvement on presentation. However, there have been no reported cases of concomitant sarcoidosis and POEMS syndrome. We treated a 55-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea and bilateral lower leg pitting edema. She had been diagnosed with sarcoidosis 4 years earlier. We reassessed the patient meticulously and found polyneuropathy, IgG lambda type monoclonal gammopathy, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, hypothyroidism, hypertrichosis, and pleural and pericardial effusions, all of which led us to diagnose POEMS syndrome. Immunosuppression with high-dose dexamethasone led to clinical and radiological improvement.
