Neurologic manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases: Current knowledge and novel insights
Received 27 August 2009; received in revised form 26 October 2009; accepted 27 October 2009. published online 04 December 2009.
Abstract
Background
Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), widely known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are thought to result from an inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system driven by intestinal bacterial flora.
Methods
Although the extraintestinal manifestations of IBD are well documented, the association of IBD with neurologic and neuromuscular involvement is rare and often controversial, with sporadic and conflicting data on its prevalence and spectrum. In addition, a serious number of the latter manifestations may become life-threatening, playing a very important role in disease morbidity. To define the pattern of neurologic involvement in IBD, the most important manifestations in these patients have been reviewed, exploring also their clinical significance.
Results
There is evidence that UC and CD can manifest both in the PNS and CNS. Thrombotic complications are common in IBD patients, but cerebral vascular involvement is rare.
Conclusions
Neurologic manifestations in IBD patients are more common than previously estimated and may follow a different pattern of involvement in CD and UC. Small numbers of patients currently preclude a better characterization of the clinical spectrum and a better understanding of pathogenesis.
ABSTRACT