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- Title
Diagnostic yield by testing small fiber function in patients examined for polyneuropathy.
- Authors
Sindrup, Søren H.; Gaist, David; Johannsen, Lis; Havsager, Anne-Mette; Homburg, Annemette; Kjeldsen, Marianne Juel; Madsen, Claus; Dalsgaard, Niels J.; Ellemann, Karsten; Smith, Torben
- Abstract
Abstract We assessed the diagnostic yield of adding quantitative sensory testing to the standard work-up for polyneuropathy in unselected patients. All patients aged 18 to 70 years referred to our department for electrodiagnosis with a tentative diagnosis of polyneuropathy and symptoms complying with predefined criteria were included in the study. We performed near nerve conduction studies in 4 nerves and determined heat and cold detection thresholds on hand and foot with a Thermotest (Somedic AB, Sweden). In order to uncover CNS diseases, somatosensory-evoked potentials were recorded in patients with abnormal quantitative sensory testing and normal nerve conduction studies. A total of 198 patients completed the study and 149 were considered to have polyneuropathy. Twenty-five patients remained undiagnosed and in 24 patients, other diseases were responsible for the symptoms. Of the patients with either polyneuropathy or no other diagnosis, 76% (n = 174) had abnormal nerve conduction. Abnormal cold sensation, heat sensation or abnormality in at least 1 of these and normal nerve conduction were found in 14, 12 and 17 patients. Of the 174 patients, 86% (95% CI 80–90%) had an abnormality in at least 1 of the tests (i.e. abnormal nerve conduction and/or abnormal quantitative testing of temperature sensation). In conclusion, quantitative testing of temperature sensation improves the diagnostic yield in patients examined for chronic polyneuropathy.
- Subjects
POLYNEUROPATHIES; SENSORY evaluation
- Publication
Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 2001, Vol 6, Issue 4, p214
- ISSN
1085-9489
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1529-8027.2001.01022.x