QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SMALL NERVE-FI BER FUNCTION

Quantitative assessment of thermal and pain sensitivity (Marstock meth od on a SOMEDIC Thermotest, Somedic AB Stockholm, Schweden) was made a nd the function of autonomic nerveous system (sympathetic skin respons e and R-R interval variation) indicating the function of small nerve f ibres (A-delta and C) was determined in 44 patients with symptoms of t he presumed sensory neuropathy. The function of the large nerve fibres was evaluated by the classic nerve conduction study. The methods of s mall nerve fibres evaluation exhibited greater sensitivity as the clas sic nerve conduction study. The dysfunction of small nerve fibre funct ion was morphologically proved by sural nerve biopsy.