Peripheral nerve complications of medical disease

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Semin Neurol. 2009 Apr;29(2):124-35.

Peripheral nerve complications of medical disease.

Briemberg HR.

Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Neuromuscular Disorders Unit,

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Neuropathies are associated with several systemic diseases. This article

provides a general overview of the clinical presentation and management of the

various neuropathies associated with common medical illnesses.

term " neuropathy " is used relatively broadly to encompass pathology from the

level of the cell body to the terminal axon. Peripheral nerve disorders

associated with diabetes, thyroid disease, connective tissue disease, cancer,

and infection are discussed.

The relationship between the various neuropathies and systemic illness is

important to recognize because neuropathy may be the initial presentation of one

of these underlying medical conditions.

Alternatively, the presence of a known associated medical condition in a patient

presenting with neuropathy may affect management decisions and limit unnecessary

investigations.