Lewis-Sumner Syndrome: Clinical Presentation and Motor Involvement

Clinical Presentation

• The American College of Radiology notes that Lewis-Sumner syndrome is considered an asymmetric variant of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), characterized by asymmetric, predominantly distal involvement of the upper limbs with both sensory and motor features 1
• Unlike the paraparetic variant of GBS that affects the lower limbs, Lewis-Sumner syndrome predominantly affects the upper limbs, according to the guidelines from expert reviews in neurology 2

Diagnostic Considerations

• The asymmetric nature of symptoms in Lewis-Sumner syndrome can lead to misdiagnosis as a focal compressive neuropathy, as noted by the American College of Radiology 1