Neurológia pre prax 1/2013

Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy is a diffused or multiple systemic disorder of peripheral nerves. According to affected anatomic structure it is possible to differentiate axonal, demyelinating and mixed lesions. According to the affected type of fibres there are motor, sensory, autonomic, and combined lesions. In patient´s case history there are positive and negative signs and symptoms for all nerve fibre types. In clinical examination there are important not only extent and severity of the disorder, but also presence of disturbances of other systems. Besides electrophysiological investigations there is increasing importance of new possibilities in diagnostics of polyneuropathies – ultrasonography of peripheral nerves, skin biopsy, autonomic functions tests. Causal therapy is possible only in some polyneuropathies (diabetes, toxic neuropathies, autoimmune neuropathies). Symptomatic therapy – and especially neuropathic pain therapy – is part of therapy of most polyneuropathies.

Keywords: axonal and demyelinating lesions, motor and sensory neurography, needle EMG, skin biopsy, immunological therapy.