Neuropathies périphériques : généralités

Before giving a detailed description of the peripheral neuropathies in specific chapters, it appears useful to review some of the possible basic mechanisms which could lead to lesions of the peripheral nerves, the clinical symptomatology, the electrophysiological signs, and what can be expected from nerve biopsy. Specific points concerning aetiologies will be discussed. It should be emphasized that the frequency of diagnosed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is often underestimated. Such unawareness may be detrimental to the patients who could benefit from treatment with immunomodulators. Despite the lack of specific diagnostic tests, the proposals for new electrophysiological criteria which will increase the diagnostic sensitivity significantly, should make it possible to diagnose a larger number of cases.