A Case with POEMS Syndrome Presenting with Loss of Vision and Skeletal Muscle Strength

Mustafa Çakar; Nuri Karadurmuş; Battal Altun; İlker Taşçı; Gökhan Erdem; İlkin Naharcı; Mehmet Tayfun Kaşıkçı; Oğuzhan Öz; Şeref Demirbaş; Kenan Sağlam; Fikret Arpacı

doi:10.4274/Tnd.85530

Mustafa Çakar¹, Nuri Karadurmuş², Battal Altun¹, İlker Taşçı¹, Gökhan Erdem², İlkin Naharcı¹, Mehmet Tayfun Kaşıkçı³, Oğuzhan Öz³, Şeref Demirbaş¹, Kenan Sağlam¹, Fikret Arpacı²

¹Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department Of Internal Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
²Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department Of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey
³Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department Of Neurology, Ankara, Turkey

Keywords: POEMS Syndrome, visual loss, loss of musclestrength, dyspnea

Abstract

POEMS syndrome (osteosclerotic myeloma) is a plasma-cell proliferative disorder and a combination of several organ system manifestations. The term POEMS is an acronym for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal proteinemia and skin changes. Although the diagnostic criteria have been modified in time to cover those findings that are seen more frequently but are less specific to make a certain decision, the rare nature of the disease may also be associated with the fact that many patients present with symptoms or signs which are thought to be related to certain organ systems. Here we present a case of POEMS syndrome with almost complete visual loss, dyspnea and loss of sceletal muscle strength and their significant recovery after treatment.