The diagnostic workup of patients with neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is initiated or caused by damage or dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous systems in various disorders, each having pain-related symptoms and signs thought secondary to common pain mechanisms. Ancillary testing may demonstrate associated nervous system abnormalities, however its specificity is inadequate at present, as it makes inferential conclusions from indirect data. Symptom assessment and physical findings remain paramount in the diagnosis of neuropathic pain.
University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. shhorowitz@partners.org
Steven H
SH
Horowitz
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds