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 lesion.[1][2][3]
- Peripheral neuropathy usually causes lower motor nerve damage, while lesions in brain and spinal cord usually cause lower motor neuron damage.[4]
- 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.[4]
- 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.[4]
References
- ↑ Saporta MA, Shy ME (2013). "Inherited peripheral neuropathies". Neurol Clin. 31 (2): 597–619. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2013.01.009. PMC 3646296. PMID 23642725.
- ↑ Marchettini P, Lacerenza M, Mauri E, Marangoni C (2006). "Painful peripheral neuropathies". Curr Neuropharmacol. 4 (3): 175–81. PMC 2430688. PMID 18615140.
- ↑ Brannagan TH (2012). "Current issues in peripheral neuropathy". J Peripher Nerv Syst. 17 Suppl 2: 1–3. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8027.2012.00387.x. PMID 22548615.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Garg N, Park SB, Vucic S, Yiannikas C, Spies J, Howells J; et al. (2017). "Differentiating lower motor neuron syndromes". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 88 (6): 474–483. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-313526. PMC 5529975. PMID 28003344.