POEMS syndrome

Dispenzieri, A., Kyle, R. A., Lacy, M. Q. et al. POEMS syndrome definitions and long-term outcome. Blood 101 2496-2506, 2003. 

Dispenzieri A, Kyle RA, Lacy MQ, Rajkumar SV, Therneau TM, Larson DR, et al. POEMS syndrome Definitions and long-term outcome. Blood 2003 101(7) 2496-2506. 

Dispenzieri A. POEMS syndrome. Hematology (Am Soc Hematol Educ Program) 2005 360-367. 

Numerous diseases can cause ascites. In terms of aetiology, liver diseases, malignant processes and chronic cardiac diseases rank right at the top. Yet inflammatory, renal, metabolic, vascular and endocrinological causes also have to be borne in mind when drawing up a differential diagnosis. The mechanisms at work in the formation of ascites are often still unresolved, as is the case, for example, in hypothyroidism, diseases of the ovaries or the POEMS syndrome (P.A. Bardwick et al., 1980). (100,168) (s. tab. 16.6)... 

POEMS is an eponym applied to patients with a variety of plasma cell dyscrasias who present with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, an M protein and skin changes this disorder is also referred to as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Additional manifestations of this disorder are pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, a predisposition to thrombosis and congestive heart failure some of these features are likely to be attributable to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases, which are often elevated in the plasma of these patients [43]. 

The Indian epic poem Mahabhara-ta of 400 AD tells the tale of the beautiful Satyavati who suffered from fish odour syndrome and was a social outcast, condemned to work as a ferry woman. However, one day a holy man fell in love with her and by... 

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