The medial plantar and medial peroneal cutaneous nerve conduction studies for diabetic polyneuropathy

Abstract

Objective of this study was to determine which nerve conduction is more sensitive electrophysiologically in the diagnosis of polyneuropathy in diabetics by evaluating the sensory conduction in medial plantar nerve and medial peroneal (dorsal) cutaneous nerves. Additionally to investigate the relation between Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) values used in the diagnosis of these conduction studies. Forty patients with diagnosis diabetic neuropathy were included into this study. In diabetic polyneuropathic patient group, both medial plantar and medial dorsal cutaneous nerve sensory action potential were not bilaterally obtained in 19 patients (47.5%). Sensitivity and specificity of medial dorsal cutaneous nerve and medial plantar nerve sensory conduction abnormalities in diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy were higher compared to sural nerve conduction abnormalities. This study showed that both medial plantar and medial dorsal cutaneous nerve conduction study performed bilaterally was a highly sensitive and specific method in diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.