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Peripheral nerve ultrasound in Friedreich ataxia
Author(s) -
Mulroy Eoin,
Pelosi Luciana,
Leadbetter Ruth,
Joshi Purwa,
Rodrigues Miriam,
Mossman Stuart,
Kilfoyle Dean,
Roxburgh Richard
Publication year - 2018
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/mus.26012
Subject(s) - medicine , ataxia , peripheral , peripheral neuropathy , peripheral nervous system , ultrasound , sensory loss , anatomy , sural nerve , population , sensory system , pathology , neuroscience , surgery , central nervous system , psychology , radiology , endocrinology , environmental health , psychiatry , diabetes mellitus
ABSTRACT Introduction Sensory impairment in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is generally accepted as being due to a ganglionopathy. The degree of contribution from axonal pathology remains a matter of debate. Nerve ultrasound may be able to differentiate these processes. Methods The ultrasound cross‐sectional area of median, ulnar, tibial, and sural nerves of 8 patients with FRDA was compared with 8 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls and with reference values in our population. Results The nerves of the patients with FRDA were significantly larger than those of healthy controls at all upper limb sites ( P < 0.05) but not significantly different in the lower limbs. Discussion Our findings add additional weight to the theory that dorsal root ganglionopathy is not the sole cause of peripheral sensory loss in FRDA. Peripheral neuropathic processes are also likely to play a role. Muscle Nerve 57 : 852–856, 2018