Synonyms:
a.k.a. nutritional neuropathy
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis is based on clinical features of neuropathy supported by electrodiagosis and confirmation of nutritional deficiency with exclusion of other causes
+improvement of symptoms/signs/NCS/EMG after supplementation
Clinical features:
Usually features of polyneuropathy. Most commonly sensori-motor neuropathy
+documented deficiency
Findings on investigations:
NCS/EMG:
- Usually Axonal pattern
Pathology, nerve biopsy:
Perineuritis can occur
Axonal loss can occur
Specific causes of nutritional neuropathy:
Hypophosphatemia neuropathy, B12 deficiency,
B1 beriberi
Axonal forms:
- Folate deficiency
- Niacin deficiency Pallegra
- Pantothenic acid
- Vitamin E (causes ataxia, ophthalmopelgia)