Abstract
As a class, polyneuropathies are some of the most commonly presented disorders to a neuromuscular clinician. Polyneuropathies generally are of one of two forms, axonal or demyelinating. This classification is often helpful in identification of potential causes. Axonal polyneuropathies are most commonly associated with diabetes, alcohol, or toxins, including side effects of medication. Demyelinating polyneuropathies, as a whole, are much less common and can be acute or chronic, and idiopafhic or associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. Finally, hereditary neuropathies, including the various forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, have similar but somewhat distinct characteristics compared with acquired forms of polyneuropathy. Nerve conduction studies, and, to some extent, needle eletromyography (EMG), can assist with the evaluation of polyneuropathies, and can help to shorten the differential diagnosis regarding potential causes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Suggested Reading
Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology AIDS Task Force. Research criteria for diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Neurology 1991;41: 617–618.
Albers JW, Kelly JJ, Jr. Acquired inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies: clinical and electrodiagnostic features. Muscle Nerve 1989; 12: 435–451.
Auger RG, Windebank AJ, Lucchinetti CF, Chalk CH. Role of the blink reflex in the evaluation of sensory neuronopathy. Neurology 1999;53: 407–408.
Chalk CH. Acquired peripheral neuropathy. In: Acquired Neuromuscular Diseases, Vol. 15 (Pourmand R, ed.). WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1997, pp. 501–528.
Donofrio PD, Albers JW. AAEM minimonograph #34: polyneuropathies: classification by nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Muscle Nerve 1990;13: 889–903.
England JD, Gronseth GS, Franklin G, et al. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy:a definition for clinical research. Neurology 2005;64(2): 199–207.
Kimura J. Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle: Principles and Practice, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001.
Lewis RA, Sumner AJ, Shy ME. Electrophysiological features of inherited demyelinating neuropathies: a reappraisal in the era of molecular diagnosis. Muscle Nerve 2000;23: 1472–1487.
Mendell JR, Kissel JT, Cornblath JR. Diagnosis and Management of Peripheral Nerve Disorders. University Press, Oxford, England, 2001.
Stewart JD, Low PA, Fealey RD. Distal small fiber neuropathy: results of tests of sweating and autonomic cardiovascular reflexes. Muscle Nerve 1992;15(6): 661–665.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Humana Press Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wang, A.K., Rutkove, S.B. (2007). Electrophysiology of Polyneuropathy. In: Blum, A.S., Rutkove, S.B. (eds) The Clinical Neurophysiology Primer. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-271-7_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-271-7_16
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-996-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-271-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)