[The diagnosis of acquired sensory neuropathies].
BACKGROUND
Peripheral neuropathies usually include a sensory component of various causes. The diagnosis approach requires careful a clinical assessment and a precise electrophysiological exploration.


BACKGROUND
Axonal sensory polyneuropathies are classified according to the type of fibers involved (large or small fibers). While there is a large number of causes, current emphasis is placed on glucose intolerance as a source of small-fiber sensory neuropathies. Demyelinating polyneuropathies are often associated with a monoclonal IgM gammapathy with anti-MAG activity. Multiple sensory mononeuropathies are exceptional and suggest possible early-phase vasculities, sensorymotor neuropathy with conduction blocks or leprosy. Sensory neuronopathies can also suggest Sjögren's syndrome or a paraneoplastic syndrome. Finally chronic sensory polyradiculoneuritis constitute a rare subgroup clearly defined as demyelinating inflammatory neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic approach to sensory neuropathies requires careful nosological electroclinical classification to reduce the number of explorations performed for etiological diagnosis.
Créange
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Service de Neurologie, INSERM E0011, Faculté de Médecine, Créteil, France. creange@univ-paris12.fr
D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology