Inflammatory sensory polyganglionopathies.

The inflammatory sensory polyganglionopathies are a group of uncommon neurologic disorders primarily affecting dorsal root ganglion cells and their processes. Subdivided into malignant and nonmalignant inflammatory sensory polyganglionopathy, these conditions are important in the differential diagnosis of sensory neuropathy. The clinical significance of malignant inflammatory sensory polyganglionopathy, a paraneoplastic syndrome, rests in the discovery of subclinical cancer, which may produce antineuronal nuclear antibodies directed against the dorsal root ganglion cell and other neurons resulting in characteristic neurologic deficits. Prompt recognition of these distinctive signs and symptoms may result in early diagnosis and improved patient survival and lead to a better understanding of immune-mediated neurologic disease.