Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis

Peripheral neuropathy Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating peripheral neuropathy from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Interventions
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis
CDC on Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis
Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Psoriasis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Peripheral neuropathy differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamadmostafa Jahansouz M.D.[2]

Overview

Peripheral neuropathy must be differentiated from other diseases that cause , sensorineural, motor, autonomic and balance problems, such as spinal cord lesions and brain lesions. Peripheral neuropathy usually causes lower motor nerve damage, while lesions in brain and spinal cord usually cause lower motor neuron damage. The difference between upper and lower motor neuron symptoms and signs may be very helpful to differentiate peripheral neuropathy from brain and spinal cord lesions. Lower motor neuron signs and symptoms in peripheral neuropathy typically present with diminished deep tendon reflexes, flaccid paralysis, severe muscle atrophy, negative babinski reflex andfasciculation whereas upper motor neuron signs and symptoms in brain and spinal cord lesions typically present with hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, spastic paralysis, no muscle atrophy, positive babinski reflex and no fasciculation.

Differentiating peripheral neuropathy from other diseases

• Peripheral neuropathy must be differentiated from other diseases that cause , sensorineural, motor, autonomic and balance problems, such as spinal cord lesions and brain lesions.

• Peripheral neuropathy usually causes lower motor nerve damage, while lesions in brain and spinal cord usually cause lower motor neuron damage.

• The difference between upper and lower motor neuron symptoms and signs may be very helpful to differentiate peripheral neuropathy from brain and spinal cord lesions.

• Lower motor neuron signs and symptoms in peripheral neuropathy typically present with diminished deep tendon reflexes, flaccid paralysis, severe muscle atrophy, negative babinski reflex andfasciculation whereas upper motor neuron signs and symptoms in brain and spinal cord lesions typically present with hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, spastic paralysis, no muscle atrophy, positive babinski reflex and no fasciculation.

Diseases	Clinical manifestations						Para-clinical findings							Gold standard	Additional findings
	Symptoms			Physical examination
							Lab Findings			Imaging			Histopathology
	Symptom 1	Symptom 2	Symptom 3	Physical exam 1	Physical exam 2	Physical exam 3	Lab 1	Lab 2	Lab 3	Imaging 1	Imaging 2	Imaging 3
Differential Diagnosis 1
Differential Diagnosis 2
Differential Diagnosis 3
Diseases	Symptom 1	Symptom 2	Symptom 3	Physical exam 1	Physical exam 2	Physical exam 3	Lab 1	Lab 2	Lab 3	Imaging 1	Imaging 2	Imaging 3	Histopathology	Gold standard	Additional findings
Differential Diagnosis 4
Differential Diagnosis 5
Differential Diagnosis 6

Diseases	Clinical manifestations			Additional findings
	Physical examination
					Deep tendon reflexes	Type of paralysis	Muscular atrophy
	Peripheral neuropathy	Diminished	Flaccid paralysis		Severe muscle atrophy	Negative babinski reflex, fasciculation
Brain lesion and most spinal cord lesions	Hyperactive	Spastic paralysis	No muscle atrophy	Positive babinski reflex, no fasciculation