Painful sensory neuropathy: prospective evaluation using skin biopsy

Neurology. 1999 Nov 10;53(8):1641-7. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.8.1641.

Abstract

Objective: In patients presenting with painful, burning feet with minimal signs of neuropathy, the following questions were addressed: 1) How many of these patients have a peripheral neuropathy? 2) What is the role of skin biopsy in establishing a diagnosis of neuropathy? 3) What conditions are associated with the neuropathy? and 4) What laboratory studies are useful in this patient population?

Methods: A total of 117 consecutive patients referred for evaluation were prospectively studied. All underwent nerve conduction studies (NCS) and a battery of blood tests, including antinerve antibodies. If NCS were normal, a punch biopsy of the skin of the distal leg was performed to ascertain the intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density. In a subset of 32 patients, the sensitivity of skin biopsy was compared to quantitative sudomotor axon test (QSART) and quantitative sensory tests (QST).

Results: Three groups emerged. Group 1, with abnormal NCS (n = 60, 34 F/26 M, mean age 60 +/- 14 years), represented 51% of the cohort. The majority had neuropathies of undetermined cause, but 18 (30%) had associated conditions. Group 2, with normal NCS and reduced IENF density (n = 44, 29 F/15 M, mean age 57 +/- 14 years), represented 38% of the cohort. Three in this group had associated conditions. Group 3, with normal NCS and IENF density (n = 13, 6 F/7 M, mean age 53 +/- 13 years), represented 11% of the cohort; most had no diagnoses but two had MS. In a comparative subset analysis, skin biopsy was more sensitive than QSART or QST in diagnosing a neuropathy.

Conclusions: Patients presenting with painful feet are heterogeneous, consisting of both large and small fiber sensory neuropathies. In rare cases, a central cause for pain can be found. Over one-third of patients required a skin biopsy to diagnose a small fiber sensory neuropathy. A limited battery of blood tests facilitated diagnosis, but serum antinerve antibodies were not helpful.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological
  • Epidermis / innervation
  • Female
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Nerve Fibers / pathology
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensation*
  • Skin / pathology*