Acute polyradiculoneuropathy and ulcerative colitis: A case report

The peripheral neurological manifestations in ulcerative colitis (UC) are rare, dominated by chronic polyradiculoneuropathies and multiple mononeuropathies; acute polyradiculoneuropathies remain exceptional. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman, followed for UC who developed an ascending weakness of the four limbs requiring hospitalization in intensive care unit and the recourse to mechanical ventilation. The electrophysiological aspect was compatible with an acute polyradiculoneuropathy. Her symptoms improved with antibiotic therapy, 5 aminosalicylate and immunomodulatory therapy. The incidence of acute polyradiculoneuropathy in UC is not well documented. These neurological disorders complicating ulcerative colitis can be severe requiring hospitalization in intensive care unit. The physiopathogenic link between the two diseases remains controversial.