Concordance between epidermal nerve fiber density and sensory examination in patients with symptoms of idiopathic small fiber neuropathy

J Neurol Sci. 2007 Apr 15;255(1-2):23-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2007.01.052. Epub 2007 Mar 2.

Abstract

Quantitation of epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) density is an objective diagnostic test of small fiber neuropathy (SFN). For a diagnostic test to be clinically useful it should correspond well with clinically meaningful physical findings. We performed a retrospective analysis of the concordance between foot ENF density and clinical findings in all patients seen at our institution with possible idiopathic SFN who underwent skin biopsy for ENF density determination. We found a high concordance between reduced foot ENF density and loss of pinprick sensitivity in this patient population. Our findings indicate that ENF density determination is a clinically relevant objective test in patients undergoing evaluation for possible SFN.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy
  • Epidermis / innervation
  • Epidermis / pathology*
  • Epidermis / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / pathology
  • Nociceptors / pathology
  • Nociceptors / physiopathology
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / pathology*
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / physiopathology
  • Somatosensory Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Somatosensory Disorders / physiopathology