Localization and Diagnostic Evaluation of Peripheral Nerve Disorders

This article provides a framework for the initial evaluation of patients with suspected peripheral nerve disease. The key clinical elements of peripheral nerve diseases can help the practicing neurologist differentiate among peripheral neuropathies with similar presentations.

The wide range of peripheral nerve diseases with similar clinical presentations can pose a diagnostic challenge. The large array of available testing modalities (including imaging and electrodiagnostic, autonomic, laboratory, biopsy, and genetic testing) further complicates clinical decision making. Recent developments (eg, discovery of new autoantibodies, genetic variations, and histopathologic techniques) across the peripheral neuropathy spectrum have resulted in an increased need to evaluate patients logically and with a tailored diagnostic approach.

A careful approach that focuses on key clinical elements combined with an understanding of purposeful diagnostic testing can lead to a successful diagnosis of peripheral nerve diseases.