Neurovisceral Syndrome in a Patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Confirmed Case of Variegate Porphyria

Variegate porphyria (VP) is a rare disorder presenting with cutaneous, neurological, and systemic symptoms. We report a 53-year-old man initially hospitalized for a depressive episode, during which blistering lesions and facial flushing were noted. He was misdiagnosed and treated for cellulitis and contact dermatitis without improvement. Repeated misdiagnoses led to extensive autoimmune, infectious, and hematologic workup, revealing coexisting monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Over the following months, he developed abdominal pain, mood swings, cognitive impairment, neuropathy, orthostatic symptoms, and weight loss, raising suspicion for porphyria. A 24-hour urine panel revealed elevated porphobilinogen (PBG), delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), coproporphyrin I and III, heptacarboxyl porphyrins, and mildly elevated uroporphyrins, confirming VP. Treatment with hemin caused thrombophlebitis and was discontinued. He was transitioned to Givosiran, resulting in symptom control and no further flares. This case reinforces the need to consider rare metabolic disorders in unexplained multisystem presentations and highlights the role of enzyme-targeting therapy when conventional treatment is not tolerated.

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Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-09-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.92741
Primary Topic
Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders
Type
article
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article

Neurovisceral Syndrome in a Patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Confirmed Case of Variegate Porphyria

Aasim Sehbai, Ali Tareen, Iraj Fatima, Kashaf Ad Duja Awais et al.
Cureus
Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders
article

Neurovisceral Syndrome in a Patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Confirmed Case of Variegate Porphyria

Aasim Sehbai, Ali Tareen, Iraj Fatima, Kashaf Ad Duja Awais, Maheen Shaharyar
article en

Abstract

Variegate porphyria (VP) is a rare disorder presenting with cutaneous, neurological, and systemic symptoms. We report a 53-year-old man initially hospitalized for a depressive episode, during which blistering lesions and facial flushing were noted. He was misdiagnosed and treated for cellulitis and contact dermatitis without improvement. Repeated misdiagnoses led to extensive autoimmune, infectious, and hematologic workup, revealing coexisting monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Over the following months, he developed abdominal pain, mood swings, cognitive impairment, neuropathy, orthostatic symptoms, and weight loss, raising suspicion for porphyria. A 24-hour urine panel revealed elevated porphobilinogen (PBG), delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), coproporphyrin I and III, heptacarboxyl porphyrins, and mildly elevated uroporphyrins, confirming VP. Treatment with hemin caused thrombophlebitis and was discontinued. He was transitioned to Givosiran, resulting in symptom control and no further flares. This case reinforces the need to consider rare metabolic disorders in unexplained multisystem presentations and highlights the role of enzyme-targeting therapy when conventional treatment is not tolerated.

CureusVol. 17(9)
Rawalpindi Medical University (PK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders
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Neurovisceral Syndrome in a Patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Confirmed Case of Variegate Porphyria — Aasim Sehbai, Ali Tareen, et al. · Cureus (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS