BACKGROUND: It has been recently observed that small fibre neuropathy (SFN) may present as distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and with atypical non-length-dependent pattern. OBJECTIVE: To describe a small series of patients with non-length-dependent SFN, investigating corneal innervation with corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). METHODS: Evaluation of the corneal nerve fibre density using CCM in six women with non-length-dependent SFN. The patients were characterised by sensory disturbance involving proximal regions of the limbs, face and trunks, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the findings of decreased intraepidermal nerve fibre density on skin biopsy. RESULTS: Six women, aged 35-64, had non-length-dependent SFN, related to Crohn disease, impaired glucose tolerance and Sjögren's syndrome, or idiopathic (three cases). In all patients, CCM demonstrated decreased corneal nerve fibre density (12.5-23.4/mm(2); normal, >30.6/mm(2)). CONCLUSION: Non-length-dependent SFN may represent an intriguing diagnostic problem because of its puzzling presentation and the need for special investigations for its confirmation. In this perspective, CCM may provide a useful, non-invasive tool to complement the diagnostic workup.

Non-length dependent small fibre neuropathy. Confocal microscopy study of the corneal innervation / Gemignani, Franco; Ferrari, G.; Vitetta, F.; Giovanelli, M.; Macaluso, Claudio; Marbini, A.. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY. - ISSN 0022-3050. - 81(7):(2010), pp. 731-733. [10.1136/jnnp.2009.177303]

Non-length dependent small fibre neuropathy. Confocal microscopy study of the corneal innervation

GEMIGNANI, Franco;MACALUSO, Claudio;
2010-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been recently observed that small fibre neuropathy (SFN) may present as distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and with atypical non-length-dependent pattern. OBJECTIVE: To describe a small series of patients with non-length-dependent SFN, investigating corneal innervation with corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). METHODS: Evaluation of the corneal nerve fibre density using CCM in six women with non-length-dependent SFN. The patients were characterised by sensory disturbance involving proximal regions of the limbs, face and trunks, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the findings of decreased intraepidermal nerve fibre density on skin biopsy. RESULTS: Six women, aged 35-64, had non-length-dependent SFN, related to Crohn disease, impaired glucose tolerance and Sjögren's syndrome, or idiopathic (three cases). In all patients, CCM demonstrated decreased corneal nerve fibre density (12.5-23.4/mm(2); normal, >30.6/mm(2)). CONCLUSION: Non-length-dependent SFN may represent an intriguing diagnostic problem because of its puzzling presentation and the need for special investigations for its confirmation. In this perspective, CCM may provide a useful, non-invasive tool to complement the diagnostic workup.
2010
Non-length dependent small fibre neuropathy. Confocal microscopy study of the corneal innervation / Gemignani, Franco; Ferrari, G.; Vitetta, F.; Giovanelli, M.; Macaluso, Claudio; Marbini, A.. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY. - ISSN 0022-3050. - 81(7):(2010), pp. 731-733. [10.1136/jnnp.2009.177303]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
nldSFN'10JNNP.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Documento in Post-print
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 188.14 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
188.14 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2334072
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 41
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 38
social impact