Diagnostic strategies for peripheral neuropathy / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Peripheral neuropathies are commonly diagnosed in different clinical department of the hospital. The diagnosis is generated by a set of reasonable process based on the manifestations of patients. According to the age of onset, the speed of disease development and the symptoms of peripheral nerve lesions, the peripheral neuropathy is divided into a definite clinical subtype for a particular patient. On this basis, utility of the nerve conduction studies and electromyography is conducted to confirm the anatomical locations of peripheral neuropathy. The etiologic diagnosis is based on anatomical diagnosis of peripheral nerve with a reasonable choice of auxiliary tests, including serological testing, peripheral nerve imaging and biopsy. Genetic tests are chosen for patients with clinical suspective diagnosis of hereditary disease. Finally, therapy evaluation on the basis of etiologic diagnosis is important for forming a treatment plan.