ISSN:
1432-0533
Keywords:
Diabetic Neuropathy
;
Peripheral Nerve
;
Myelin
;
Microangiopathy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The present communication described changes on nerve biopsies from 16 diabetics without neuropathy, except the fact that the ankle jerks were often decreased bilaterally, as it is often encountered in diabetes mellitus. 16 non-diabetic patients with various peripheral neuropathies were also studied; the glucose tolerance tests were always normal in this group and none had any vascular or collagen disease. The three series included patients between 45 to 75 years old. Obervations made on nerve biopsies from these three groups have been compared. The basement membranes of endoneurial capillaries were measured. These measurements have been made on the thinnest part of the basement membranes and pericyte processes were not included. At least 5 capillaries per 1 patient have been studied. Averaging with a computer has permitted demonstration of significant thickenings of basement membranes in diabetic patients without neuropathy; such an observation was not made in non-diabetic patients with various peripheral neuropathies, while the thickenings were the most important in patients with diabetic neuropathy. It must be said that individual variations were encountered in each group. Nerve parenchyma has been carefully studied. In diabetic patients without neuropathy, 14 cases displayed a typical but usually moderate proliferation of Schwann cells. Axon lesions were mild and unfrequent. The exact relationships between thickening of basement membranes of vasa nervorum and lesions of nerve parenchyma need some further informations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00685323
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