ABSTRACT
Accurate diagnosis of a peripheral neuropathy can be difficult. This is mainly a result of the fact that the clinical features of various neuropathies seem to be very similar despite the varied aetiologies. Indeed, it is recognized that in some 30% or more of patients with an established neuropathy the cause remains unknown. The challenge therefore is to develop a sleuth-like approach to each patient, teasing out the clues in the clinical history before adding the findings of clinical examination, and then embarking on a channelled approach to investigation, which will lead to a diagnosis and from there the development of a treatment plan.
