An atypical form of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy presenting with initial isolated bulbar weakness

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired inflammatory neuropathy, classically characterized by a slowly progressive or relapsing symmetrical sensorimotor dysfunction developing over at least 8 weeks. However, CIDP can have a heterogeneous presentation with atypical forms in about 54% of cases, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.1 Predominant cranial nerve involvement is a relatively unusual feature of CIDP described in only 5% of cases.1 Oculomotor nerves (III, IV, and VI) are most often affected, followed by the VII and, more rarely, IX, X, and XI cranial nerves.1 We report here a case of a particular severe form of CIDP presenting with initial predominant bulbar weakness including IX and X cranial nerves dysfunction.