[Acute postoperative mononeuropathy in a patient with type II diabetes mellitus]

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinologic illness that affects multiple systems. One of then is the nervous system. It has been attempted to establish a relationship between metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes and the degree of nervous system affectation. We present a case of mononeuritis involving the left peroneal nerve which occurred suddenly during the postoperative phase of a thoracoplasty in a patient with type II diabetes mellitus. The clinical picture was associated with a hyperglycemic nonketotic decompensation. We analyze the precipitating factors and their possible prevention.