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Small-fibre neuropathies and skin: news and perspectives for dermatologists

  • Review Article
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European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Small-fibre neuropathies (SFNs) can be defined as diseases of small nerve fibres. Because their symptoms are mainly located in the skin in the initial stages, dermatologists may frequently be confronted with these diseases. Moreover, skin biopsies and the subsequent measurement of intraepidermal nerve fibre density have become a widely accepted technique to investigate the structural integrity of small nerve fibres. The pathogenesis of injury to small nerve fibres is poorly understood. It probably depends on the cause. SCN9A-gene variants have been reported. Diabetes mellitus is one of the main causes of SFNs. Some causes of SFNs are very well-known to dermatologists: Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome, lupus, sarcoidosis and Fabry disease. We also discuss erythermalgia, prurigo nodularis, nummular eczema, burning mouth syndrome and sensitive skin as SFNs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France

    Laurent Misery, Céline Bodere, Fabien Zagnoli & Pascale Marcorelles

  2. Breton Competence Centre of Rare, Neuro-Muscular Diseases and Neuropathies with Cutaneous-Mucosal Symptoms, Brest, France

    Laurent Misery, Steeve Genestet, Fabien Zagnoli & Pascale Marcorelles

  3. Department of dermatology, Armed Forces Instruction Hospital Clermont-Tonnerre, Brest, France

    Laurent Misery

  4. Department of odontology, Armed Forces Instruction Hospital Clermont-Tonnerre, Brest, France

    Céline Bodere

  5. Department of clinical neurophysiology, Armed Forces Instruction Hospital Clermont-Tonnerre, Brest, France

    Steeve Genestet

  6. Department of neurology, Armed Forces Instruction Hospital Clermont-Tonnerre, Brest, France

    Fabien Zagnoli

  7. Department of pathology, University Hospital of Brest, 29609, Brest, France

    Pascale Marcorelles

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  1. Laurent Misery
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  2. Céline Bodere
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  5. Pascale Marcorelles
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Correspondence to Laurent Misery.

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Misery, L., Bodere, C., Genestet, S. et al. Small-fibre neuropathies and skin: news and perspectives for dermatologists. Eur J Dermatol 24, 147–153 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2013.2189

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2013.2189

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