An electrophysiological study of the deep peroneal sensory nerve

The electrodiagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is often based on nerve conduction abnormalities in sensory nerves of the lower extremities. We performed nerve conduction studies of the deep peroneal sensory nerve prospectively in 63 limbs of 38 normal subjects. The sensory amplitudes showed a decreasing trend with increasing age. 21% of subjects had absent sensory potentials, especially those in the older age groups. This was seen in contrast with superficial peroneal and sural potentials, which were universally present. Although the deep peroneal sensory nerve is located in the distal lower limb, it should be used with caution in evaluating peripheral neuropathy, in view of the frequent occurrence of absent potentials even in asymptomatic normal subjects.