Axonal multifocal motor neuropathy without conduction block or other features of demyelination.

Background: Conduction block is considered an essential finding for the distinction between motor neuropathies and lower motor neuron disorders. Only a small number of reports describe patients with multifocal motor neuropathies who lack overt conduction block, although in these cases other features of demyelination still suggest the presence of a demyelinating disorder. In contrast, a purely axonal multifocal motor neuropathy has not been described.

Methods: This report describes nine patients with slowly or nonprogressive multifocal motor neuropathies who had purely axonal electrodiagnostic features.

Results: GM1 antibodies titers were normal in all nine cases. Six patients were treated with either prednisone or IV immunoglobulin and three showed convincing improvement.

Conclusions: These findings suggest an immune-mediated motor neuropathy with axonal electrophysiologic features that appears to be distinct from both multifocal motor neuropathy and established motor neuron disorders.