What are Diseases of Peripheral Nerves?

Diseases of Peripheral Nerves
Diseases of Peripheral Nerves. True positive in this 58-year-old patient with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the right thigh (long arrow). The FDG-PET scan demonstrated two additional hypermetabolic lesions in the left calf (short arrow). These were subsequently resected and proven to be synchronous peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Four years later, the patient is in remission and is doing well. FDG PET/CT in Initial Staging of Adult Soft-Tissue Sarcoma: Roberge D, Vakilian S, Alabed YZ, Turcotte RE, Freeman CR, Hickeson M - Sarcoma (2012). Not altered. CC.

Diseases of peripheral nerves are the conditions affecting functional elements of peripheral nerves which include axonal processes and their myelin sheaths. These diseases may cause changes to the normal anatomical structure of peripheral nerves.

Examples of diseases of peripheral nerves include:

  • Axonal neuropathies
  • Demyelinating neuropathies
  • Neuronopathies

What are Axonal Neuropathies?

Axonal neuropathies are the destruction of the axonal structure of the nerve. Axons are damaged by direct insult.

What are Demyelinating Neuropathies?

Demyelinating neuropathies are the destruction of the Schwann cells. Myelin is damaged with sparing of the axon resulting in abnormally slow nerve conduction velocities.

What are Neuronopathies?

Neuronopathies are generalized abnormalities affecting the neuron cells. Destruction of neurons leads to secondary degeneration of axonal processes. 

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Last updated on May 23, 2022