Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome (GSS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of saliva and lachrymal glands. About 20% of patients develop a neurological involvement.
A 29-year-old woman was admitted with a dysautonomic and sensorial neuropathy. Clinical manifestations (dry syndrome and positive Schirmer's test), blood (anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies) and histological (chronic sialadenitis) tests linked this neuropathy to a primary GSS. The characteristics of this case were acute onset (within a few days), severe clinical presentation (continued confinement to bed and malnutrition) and non-responsiveness to all treatments (intravenous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, rituximab).
This case illustrates various clinical signs and inconstant responsiveness to treatment of neuropathy associated with primary GSS.