Subacute Progressive Severe Ataxic Sensory Neuropathy with Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

We herein report a 79-year-old woman with subacute progressive ataxic sensory neuropathy. The patient's symptoms began with numbness in the lower extremities, which rapidly deteriorated, resulting in gait disturbance and abnormal sensations in the extremities, reaching a peak over a period of approximately two months. Nerve conduction studies revealed pure axonal-type sensory polyneuropathy. The expeditious progression of the disease initially prompted suspicion of Guillain-Barré syndrome or paraneoplastic syndrome. Nevertheless, after comprehensive evaluations, the conclusive diagnosis was confirmed as ataxic sensory neuropathy with Sjögren's syndrome. Intensive immunotherapy was administered; however, it was ineffective in halting disease progression. Consequently, this case underscores the significance of an early comprehensive diagnosis and prompt immunotherapy for ataxic sensory neuropathy associated with Sjögren's.