[Peripheral neuropathy and correlation with risk factors in material from autopsies and amputations]

A morphological study of a series of 100 human peroneal nerves proceeding from autopsies and amputations of patients hospitalized for different diseases was performed. A relation between the morphologic findings and the risk factors of neuropathy to which the patients may have been exposed is established. Following the analysis of their results the authors found that peripheral neuropathy is more frequent than suspected in clinical practice. The peripheral nerve is relatively resistant to regional ischemia. The risk factors considered in the casuist included diabetes as that which most influences in determining morphological alterations compatible with neuropathy.