Neurologic improvement after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in poems

We read with interest the recent article by Kuwabara et al.1 describing the clinical and electrophysiologic findings in 9 patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome and treated with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). From May 2003 until September 2006, we treated 4 patients with POEMS syndrome with chemotherapy and auto-PBSCT.2 There were 3 men and 1 woman with a median age of 53 years (range 44–62). Three patients had severe and rapidly progressive sensory– motor peripheral neuropathy with predominant involvement of the lower limbs leading to inability to walk, reduced muscle strength of the upper limbs, absent deep tendon reflexes, and distal sensory impairment.