Case report highlights diagnostic challenges between POEMS syndrome and CIDP

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 30, 2026 Medically reviewed April 30, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Note the potential for POEMS syndrome to be misdiagnosed as CIDP due to overlapping clinical features.

This case report, integrated with a literature review, details the diagnostic trajectory of a single patient presenting with lower limb paresthesia. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), but the diagnosis was later clarified as POEMS syndrome through an evaluation of the clinical course, specialized laboratory findings, and histopathological analysis.

The authors discuss the complexities of distinguishing POEMS syndrome from CIDP due to their overlapping neuromuscular presentations. The report notes that the pathogenesis of POEMS syndrome is driven by plasma cell dyscrasias and the dysregulation of VEGF.

A primary limitation of this report is its scope, as it is a case report involving only 1 patient. Because the findings are based on a single case and a literature review, the results may not be generalizable to broader patient populations.

Clinicians should maintain high vigilance when evaluating patients with neuromuscular symptoms. Enhancing diagnostic accuracy requires careful consideration of specialized testing to differentiate POEMS syndrome from CIDP.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein (M-protein) secretion, and skin changes. Its pathogenesis is driven by plasma cell dyscrasias and the dysregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated condition that primarily affects peripheral nerve myelin, lacking the systemic involvement and hematological markers characteristic of POEMS syndrome. Given their overlapping neuromuscular manifestations—primarily progressive sensory loss and motor weakness—POEMS is frequently misdiagnosed as CIDP during initial presentation. This report presents a case of POEMS syndrome initially presenting with lower limb paresthesia. Through evaluation of the clinical course, specialized laboratory findings, and histopathological analysis, the diagnosis was clarified. By integrating this case with a comprehensive literature review, our study aims to enhance clinical vigilance and diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing POEMS syndrome from CIDP, two disorders with superficially similar neuropathic features but fundamentally different underlying etiologies.