[Peripheral neuropathies of chronic renal insufficiency. Review]

Described at the end of the 19th century, investigated from the development of dialysis since 1960, peripheral neuropathy occurs almost constantly in patients with a pre-dialytic renal failure. Clinical signs are mainly sensory ones Severe nerve deficiencies are rarely found. Electrophysiological techniques are performed to quantify the demyelinating and axonal lesions, to verify the long term adequacy of dialysis, and to observe improvement after kidney transplantation. Diabetes and vascular lesions can induce important axonal damage. Nerve entrapments (Median nerve in the carpal tunnel) are frequent and may worsen in a few months. Factors involved in the development of peripheral neuropathy in uremic patients remain partly unknown.