Neuropathies

Lunn, Michael; Manji, Hadi

doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2008.10.002

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Volume 36, Issue 12 , Pages 646-652, December 2008

Neuropathies

Michael Lunn MBBS MRCP PhD is Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead in Neuroimmunology at the National Hospital for Neurology, London, UK. His research interest is inflammatory mechanisms in peripheral nerve disorders

Hadi Manji MA MD FRCP is Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the National Hospital for Neurology, London, and Ipswich Hospital, UK. His research interests are inflammatory neuropathies and neuro-infections, particularly HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathies are common neurological disorders. A diagnosis can be reached in 75% of cases with a detailed history and examination, neurophysiological assessment and now standard laboratory investigations, which include antibody and DNA studies. The necessity for nerve biopsies is now limited to a number of specific indications only. Inflammatory neuropathic disorders such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and vasculitic neuropathies, though relatively rare, are treatable with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and/or corticosteroids.

Keywords: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, entrapment, Guillain–Barré syndrome, inherited, multifocal motor, neuropathy, nerve biopsy, small fibre, vasculitis