[Applications of 'quantitative sensory testing'].
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) consists of several non-invasive, standardised tests aimed at examining different aspects of the entire somatosensory nervous system. Important advantages of QST over existing supplementary tests such as electromyography are the ability to test the function of thin and unmyelinated nerve fibres as well as the subjective sensation of a somatosensory stimulus. QST is validated in diagnosing small fibre neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain. In scientific research, QST is useful in the study into pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases and syndromes with sensory symptoms and in the evaluation of the effect of analgesic treatment on the function of the somatosensory nervous system. In the future, QST could be a useful diagnostic and prognostic test in more forms of neuropathy and in other clinical conditions such as chronic unexplained pain syndromes (e.g. fibromyalgia and whiplash-associated disorder.
UMC Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Wouter R
WR
Verberne
Tom J
TJ
Snijders
K Seng
KS
Liem
Anne Catrien
AC
Baakman
Dieuwke S
DS
Veldhuijzen
D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*