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Role of the masseter reflex in the assessment of subacute sensory neuropathy
Author(s) -
Auger Raymond G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199806)21:6<800::aid-mus14>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - corneal reflex , jaw jerk reflex , reflex , triceps reflex , medicine , sensory system , masseter muscle , peripheral neuropathy , withdrawal reflex , anatomy , anesthesia , psychology , neuroscience , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
In 3 patients with a severe pure sensory neuropathy of subacute onset, the masseter reflex remained normal despite absent blink reflex responses and absent stretch reflexes in the extremities. In 20 patients with primary disorders of peripheral nerve axons or myelin, the masseter reflex was abnormal. This study suggests that a normal masseter reflex in patients presenting with a pure sensory neuropathy favors a polyganglionopathy rather than a primary axonal sensory neuropathy, particularly if the blink reflex is abnormal. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:800–801, 1998.