2. Nerve:
• A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of
axons (the long, slender projections of
neurons) in the peripheral nervous system. A
nerve provides a common pathway for the
electrochemical nerve impulses that are
transmitted along each of the axons to
peripheral organs.
4. Cont…
• Each nerve is a cordlike structure that contains many
axons, also called nerve fibres. Within a nerve, each
axon is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue
called the endoneurium. The axons are bundled
together into groups called fascicles, and each
fascicle is wrapped in a layer of connective tissue
called the perineurium. Finally, the entire nerve is
wrapped in a layer of connective tissue called the
epineurium.
5.
6. Peripheral Neuropathy
• DEFINITION:
It is inflammation and degeneration of the
peripheral nerves and/or the cranial nerves
resulting in impairment of the conductivity of
these nerves.
Common causes include systemic diseases (such as
diabetes or leprosy), vitamin deficiency, medication (e.g.,
chemotherapy), traumatic injury, excessive alcohol
consumption, immune system disease, or infection, or it
may be inherited (present from birth)
7. Classification of Neuropathy
• Three main types of nerve can be involved in
peripheral neuropathy:
• Autonomic nerves (not under conscious
control, "automatic" or "involuntary" nerves)
• Motor nerves
• Sensory nerves.
8. Cont…
• Peripheral neuropathy may be classified according to
the number and distribution of nerves affected
(mononeuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex or
polyneuropathy), the type of nerve cell
predominantly affected (motor, sensory, autonomic),
or the process affecting the nerves; e.g.,
inflammation (neuritis), compression (compression
neuropathy), chemotherapy (chemotherapy-induced
peripheral neuropathy).
10. Types of nerve fibers
Diameter Conduction Function
microns Velocity m/s
A alpha 1-2070-110 Motor, Proprioception
beta 5-10 30-60 Touch
gama 3-6 20-30 Fusimotor, spindles
delta 2-5 20-30 Sharp pain
B <3 5-15 Autonomic, pregangl.
C <1.3 0.5-2 Slow pain
Non myelinated
11. The Peripheral Nervous System
• Motor: weakness,
atrophy
• Sensory loss
– Large Fibers (position)
– Small fiber (pain)
• Reflex loss
• Autonomic symptoms
– (redness, dizziness)
12. Definitions
• Neuropathy
Pathological process affecting a peripheral nerve/s
• Mononeuropathy
A single nerve affected
• Mononeuritis multiplex
Multiple mononeuropathy or Multifocal neuropathy
15. Cont…
EXAMINATION FINDINGS
• Purely Motor or Sensory or Sensorimotor?
• Proximal or distal? Symmetric or asymmetric?
• Multifocal, generalized, regional?
• Upper limbs, lower limbs, neck, trunk?
TIMING
• Acute or chronic?
16. Cont…
• ASSOCIATED FINDINGS
• Painful or painless?
• Hereditary or sporadic?
• ELECTRODIAGNOSIS
• Axonal or demyelinating?
• LABORATORY
• Paraprotein present? Type?
• Antibody against nerve?
• CSF protein level?
• HISTOLOGY
• Inflammatory Cells
17. Mononeuropathy (Involving Single Nerve)
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– Facial Neuropathy
– Ulnar Neuropathy etc
Mononeuropathy Multiplex (Multifocal dysfunction;
asymmetrical process involving two or more nerves).
• Polyneuropathy (Involving more than 2 Nerves)
– TOSS
– Polyradicuopathies
– AIDP
– CIDP etc
18. Autonomic Neuropathy:
Dysfunction of Autonomic Neurons with consequent:
o Anhidrosis or Hyperhidrosis
o Orthostatic Hypotension,
o Pupillary Reflex Paralysis,
o Loss of Lacrimation & salivation,
o Bowel & Bladder Dysfunction etc
mostly occur with generalized Polyneuropathy i.e. DM,
Riley-Day Syndrome (Autosomal Recessive Disease) also called as
“Familial Dysautonomia”.
Shy-Drager Syndrome
19. Clinical assessment
Sensory Symptoms
• A sensation of wearing an invisible "glove" or "sock"
• Numbness, pins & needles
• Feeling of walking on pebbles
• Feeling of tightness & swelling
• Burning sensation or freezing pain
• Sharp, jabbing or electric shock-like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Usually worse at night
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Cramps in the feet and calves
20. Motor Symptoms
• Tripping on the toes
• Loss of grip strength
• Ankle jerk reflex is classically absent in
peripheral neuropathy.
21. Clinical Examination & Assessment
Signs:
Weakness: Usually distal & symmetrical in polyneuropathy
Muscle Atrophy: Loss of muscle bulk, reduced tone and flaccidity
Sensory Deficit: Varies with somatotopic distribution
Areflexia: Loss of reflexes in Lower motor neuron lesions (LMNLs)
while Hyperreflexia in Upper motor neuron lesions (UMNLs).