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Idiopathic distal small fiber neuropathy
1Neurology Service St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy is common in the elderly, causing burning feet and sensory loss. While often painful, it progresses slowly and may improve with gammaglobulin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy (ISFN) is a prevalent yet undercharacterized neurological condition.
- Understanding ISFN is crucial for managing its impact on elderly patients.
Observation:
- A study detailed 20 elderly patients diagnosed with ISFN.
- Key symptoms included burning feet, painful paresthesias, lancinating pains, and sensory loss.
Findings:
- Patients exhibited moderate to severe distal small fiber sensory loss and absent ankle reflexes.
- Electromyography (EMG) showed normal results in some, while others had mild sensorimotor axonal neuropathy.
- Sural nerve biopsies revealed axonal loss in a subset of patients.
Implications:
- ISFN presents a distinct clinical syndrome, frequently causing burning feet in older adults.
- Despite symptom refractoriness, slow progression and potential improvement with gammaglobulin infusions offer therapeutic insights.