Diagnosis and elucidation of small-fiber dysfunction using electrophysiological technique - Diagnosis and elucidation of small-fiber dysfunction using electrophysiological technique

Pain detection threshold using intraepidermal electrical stimulation (IES) and cooling detection threshold using quantitative sensory testing (QST) were positively correlated. Amplitude of evoked potentials (EPs) following electrical stimulation using IES was negatively correlated with pain and cooling detection thresholds. Sensory thresholds and amplitude of EPs were deteriorated with length-dependent pattern in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. These results support a notion that IES is a useful clinical tool for evaluating small-fiber dysfunction.