Intractable ascites, changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels and thalidomide treatment in POEMS syndrome

摘要

POEMS, which stands for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes, is a rare multisystem disorder without definite etiology that presents a diagnostic dilemma for the physician. According to the criteria for POEMS syndrome, the diagnosis requires 2 mandatory criteria (polyneuropathy and monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder), 1 of the 3 other major criteria (sclerotic bone lesions, Castleman's disease, elevated level of serum or plasma vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) and 1 of the 6 minor criteria (organomegaly, extra-vascular volume overload, endocriiiopathy, skin changes, pap-illedema, thrombocytosis and/or polycythemia).