Uremic polyneuropathy in hemodialytic treatment (clinical and serial electrophysiological study of 43 cases)
Caccia, M.R.; Mangili, A.; Mecca, G.; Ubiali, E.; Zanoni, P.
Acta Neurologica 32(5): 535-550
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6276 PMID: 201157 Document Number: 113602
The involvement of the peripheral motor and sensory nerves, at least on a subclinical level, is a nearly constant event in serious chronic renal insufficiency lasting for years in man. There is no constant correlation between clinical and electrophysiological findings of neuropathy; however the latter seems to be the more accurate index for studying its development. The study of the velocity of motor and sensory conduction indicates that a widespread functional lesion of the axon with a peripheral point of attack and secondary demyelinization may be the basic pathogenetic event in uremic polyneuropathy. Extracorporeal dialysis carried out for many years is substantially unable to influence the development of uremic polyneuropathy, which slowly and progressively tends to worsen. The electrophysiological study of the peripheral nerves does not seem to be an index of adequate dialysis.