Polyradiculopathies in the neurology department of the Cocody University Hospital, Abidjan, Ivory Coast: epidemiological and clinical profiles and outcomes over a six-year period.

Abstract

Polyradiculoneuropathies (PRNs) are inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system. They are diffuse in general, sparing neither the proximal portions of the elements of this system, where they predominate, nor the cranial nerves. To describe the epidemiological and diagnostic profiles, as well as the course, of patients with PRN in the Cocody university hospital center (Abidjan) neurology department over the past six years. This retrospective single-center study describes PRN cases and their course during the 6-year period of 2009-2014 in this neurology department. Among 5319 cases seen in the neurology department over the study period, 58 patients met our criteria, i.e., 1.1%. More patients were men: 55.2% for a sex ratio of 1.23. They included 4 cases of ethanol poisoning, 2 cases of undecompensated diabetes, and one reaction to vaccination for yellow fever (AAV). The electroneuromyographic tracing supported a finding of demyelination in 55.1%, axonal loss in 25.9% and both in 19%. PRN is a relatively common pathology that is often overlooked. Etiological investigation was difficult in our setting. Early management can improve the prognosis of this disorder.