[A pathologic study of the vagus nerves in diabetes mellitus]

A systematic morphometric examination at different levels of the vagus nerves obtained at autopsy in 4 control subjects and 3 diabetics was carried out. Morphometric studies on myelinated fibres were performed on the nerve at mid-cervical, lung hilum and diaphragmatic levels. In 2 insulin-dependent diabetics the density of myelinated fibres was below the lower limit of the control range at all levels. In all the diabetic subjects there was significant reduction in the density of fibres at the most distal level in the nerves. The teased fibre studies showed predominantly changes of axonal degeneration. They are consistent with the findings of abnormal vagal function in diabetics.