Article Text
Review
Evaluation of small fibre neuropathies
Abstract
Small fibre neuropathies (SFNs) are common and can significantly affect patients’ lives due to debilitating pain and autonomic symptoms. We explain the tests that neurologists can use to diagnose SFNs and how neurophysiologists perform and interpret them. This review focuses on neurophysiological tests that can be used to investigate SFNs, their sensitivity, specificity and limitations. Some of these tests are available only in specialist centres. However, newer technologies are emerging from scientific research that may make it easier to diagnose these conditions in the future.
- PAIN
- NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
- NEUROPATHY
Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information. Not applicable.
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Read the full text or download the PDF:
Other content recommended for you
- The clinical approach to small fibre neuropathy and painful channelopathy
- Skin wrinkling for diagnosing small fibre neuropathy: comparison with epidermal nerve density and sympathetic skin response
- Skin biopsy: a new tool for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy
- Neurophysiological, nerve imaging and other techniques to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in the clinical and research settings
- Neurophysiological testing correlates with clinical examination according to fibre type involvement and severity in sensory neuropathy
- Diagnosis and management of sensory polyneuropathy
- Highly abnormal thermotests in familial dysautonomia suggest increased cardiac autonomic risk
- Non-length dependent small fibre neuropathy/ganglionopathy
- Acute small fibre sensory neuropathy: another variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
- Assessment of neuropathy subtypes in type 1 diabetes