title: Cryptogenetic polyneuropathies: an out-patient follow-up study.
abstract: An out-patient follow-up study of 41 patients suffering from cryptogenetic PNP was performed: 19 (46%) had a symmetric-paretic; 15 (37%) a symmetric-sensory, 4 (10%) an asymmetric type polyneuropathy and 3 (7%) presented with mononeuropathia multiplex; 12 of 41 (29%) unclassified PNP could be clarified. Of the remaining 29 unsolved cases, 14 (48%) formed a homogeneous subgroup sharing specific criteria: primary, axonal type degeneration; slowly progressing clinical course reaching a plateau; low disability status; onset between the age of 45-65. We concluded that out-patient re-evaluation of cryptogenetic PNP yields improved diagnosis. Hereditary and immune-mediated PNP exhibit specific diagnostic problems and account for a large portion of the cryptogenetic PNP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grahmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winterholler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neundörfer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology