Differential Diagnosis of Churg-Strauss Syndrome with Tingling Sensation and Weakness of the Lower Extremities

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS; or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis) is an extremely rare autoimmune condition characterized by hypereosinophilia and vasculitis of small or medium-sized blood vessels, occurring in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

A 47-year-old man (height, 175.8 cm and weight, 74.8 kg) complained of a tingling sensation in his leg. He had a history of hypertension and asthma in the previous two years, and history of sinus surgery for sinusitis in the previous one year. He showed weight loss of 6 kg during the last month, and the signal intensity of the bone marrow on magnetic resonance imaging was diffusively reduced to be less than or equal to the disc. These findings indicated a hematologic disease and the possibility of malignancy. However, a nerve conduction study suggested multiple mononeuropathies. In addition, his laboratory findings showed peripheral eosinophilia and positivity for myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody. Therefore, CSS was strongly suspected.

Churg-Strauss syndrome is considered to be a condition with variable presentation and is difficult to diagnose because it has various clinical symptoms and disease progression. This study reports on a case with CSS, who underwent nerve biopsy and cholecystectomy for pathological confirmation because of various symptoms, and early diagnosis was difficult