Small fibre neuropathy in sarcoidosis

Lancet. 2002 Jun 15;359(9323):2085-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)08912-2.

Abstract

Some patients with sarcoidosis have unexplained pain and dysaesthesia. We did quantitative sensory testing in 31 sarcoidosis patients with pain or autonomic dysfunction. 25 patients had reduced warmth sensitivity, cold sensitivity, or both. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) was measured in punch biopsy skin samples in seven consecutive patients. All seven patients had reduced IENFD compared with controls, which confirmed the presence of small fibre neuropathy in these patients. Some patients with sarcoidosis may have small fibre neuropathy with autonomic involvement.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers / pathology*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis
  • Sarcoidosis / physiopathology*