title: Entrapment neuropathies in diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with a wide clinical spectrum that encompasses generalized to focal and multifocal forms. Entrapment neuropathies (EN), which are focal forms, are so frequent at any stage of the diabetic disease, that they may be considered a neurophysiological hallmark of peripheral nerve involvement in DM. Indeed, EN may be the earliest neurophysiological abnormalities in DM, particularly in the upper limbs, even in the absence of a generalized polyneuropathy, or it may be superimposed on a generalized diabetic neuropathy. This remarkable frequency of EN in diabetes is underlain by a peculiar pathophysiological background. Due to the metabolic alterations consequent to abnormal glucose metabolism, the peripheral nerves show both functional impairment and structural changes, even in the preclinical stage, making them more prone to entrapment in anatomically constrained channels. This review discusses the most common and relevant EN encountered in diabetic patient in their epidemiological, pathophysiological and diagnostic features.
authors.affiliation: Eugenia Rota, Nicola Morelli, Department of Neurology, Ospedale G. da Saliceto, 29121 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.affiliation: Eugenia Rota, Nicola Morelli, Department of Neurology, Ospedale G. da Saliceto, 29121 Piacenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morelli
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic neuropathy; Electrodiagnosis; Median entrapment neuropathy at the wrist; Neuropathy; Tarsal tunnel syndrome; Ulnar entrapment neuropathy at the elbow; Ulnar entrapment neuropathy at the wrist