title: Laboratory evaluation of peripheral neuropathy.
abstract: The question of how to evaluate peripheral neuropathies is complicated by there being hundreds of potential causes, both acquired and inherited. This article focuses on a targeted and thoughtful approach to the laboratory evaluation of patients with peripheral neuropathy, designed to allow the identification of treatable neuropathies without undue expense and risk to patients. After determining which clinical patterns are present, the patterns are used to define a discrete manageable subset of diseases underlying these neuropathies. Thinking in terms of such patterns is often more helpful than relying on electrodiagnostic studies, leading to a more accurate, cost-effective laboratory evaluation.
authors: Phoenix Neurological Associates, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 5090 North 40th Street, Suite 250, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA.
authors: Todd D
authors: TD
authors: Levine
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Saperstein
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*