Peripheral neuropathy classification
|
Peripheral neuropathy Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Peripheral neuropathy classification On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Peripheral neuropathy classification |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Peripheral neuropathy classification |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saumya Easaw, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis. Impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves-motor, sensory, or autonomic-that are damaged. Motor nerves control movements of all muscles under conscious control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Sensory nerves transmit information about sensory experiences, such as the feeling of a light touch or the pain resulting from a cut. Autonomic nerves regulate biological activities that people do not control consciously, such as breathing, digesting food, and heart and gland functions. Although some neuropathies may affect all three types of nerves, others primarily affect one or two types. Therefore, physicians may use terms such as predominantly motor neuropathy, predominantly sensory neuropathy, sensory-motor neuropathy, or autonomic neuropathy to describe a patient's condition.
Often the form of neuropathy is further broken down as to cause (see below), or other type, such as small fiber peripheral neuropathy, which is idiopathic.
There are other less common forms of neuropathy, for example Enteric Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is not a disease in itself, but a symptom or a complication of other underlying conditions. Peripheral nerves, either singly or in groups, are damaged through lack of circulation, chemical imbalance, trauma, or other factors.[1]
Peripheral neuropathies may either be symmetrical and generalized or focal and multifocal, which is usually a good indicator of the cause of the peripheral nerve disease.
Generalized peripheral neuropathy
Generalized peripheral neuropathies are symmetrical, and usually due to various systematic illnesses and disease processes that affect the peripheral nervous system in its entirety. They are further subdivided into several categories:
- Distal axonopathies are the result of some metabolic or toxic derangement of neurons. They may be caused by metabolic diseases such asdiabetes, renal failure, deficiency syndromes such as malnutrition and alcoholism, or the effects of toxins or drugs.
- Myelinopathies are due to a primary attack on myelin causing an acute failure of impulse conduction. The most common cause is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP; aka Guillain-Barré syndrome), though other causes include chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy(CIDP), genetic metabolic disorders (e.g., leukodystrophy), or toxins.
- Neuronopathies are the result of destruction of peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons. They may be caused by motor neurone diseases, sensory neuronopathies (e.g., Herpes zoster), toxins or autonomic dysfunction. Neurotoxins may cause neuronopathies, such as the chemotherapy agent vincristine.
References
- ↑ Ruth Werner, LMP, NCTMB A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology; Third Edition Copyright 2005