title: Broadening the spectrum of controls for skin biopsy in painful neuropathies.
abstract: Epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD) is useful in the evaluation of small-fiber neuropathies (SFSNs). A recent evidence-based review highlighted the need to broaden the spectrum of ENFD controls to include lower limb pain states other than polyneuropathy. We studied epidermal innervation in multiple sclerosis (MS) and distal lower limb burning pain (DLLBP). Distal-leg ENFD/morphology in MS DLLBP patients did not differ significantly from that of healthy controls. This study extends the range of ENFD controls and further supports use of ENFD assessment in SFSN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. david_herrmann@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Alec B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Schwid
authors.forename: Yuwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Da
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rafferty
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Dworkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult