OBJECTIVE: To correlate the density of swellings in intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF) with the longitudinal measurement of the epidermal innervation density in @entity1 with @entity21115 and to assess the predictive value of IENF swelling to progression of @entity16 . METHODS: Fifteen @entity1 with persistent @entity158 in the feet underwent neurologic examination, nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory examination, and skin biopsies at proximal thigh and distal leg. In all @entity1 and in 15 healthy subjects, IENF density and swelling ratio (no. swellings/no. IENF) were quantified at distal leg. Follow-up study, including IENF density and swelling ratio quantification, was performed a mean of 19.2 months later. Double staining confocal microscope studies using anti-human protein-gene-product 9.5, anti-tubule, anti-neurofilament, and anti- @entity5473 antibodies were performed to assess specific accumulation within swellings. Ultrastructural investigation of IENF was also carried out. RESULTS: @entity1 with @entity16 had lower density of IENF and higher swelling ratio than healthy subjects (p < 0.01) at distal leg. At follow-up, @entity1 showed a parallel decrease in both IENF density (p = 0.02) and swelling ratio (p = 0.002). However, swelling ratio remained higher (p = 0.03) than in controls. @entity16 was confirmed by the @entity1547 sensory nerve action potential amplitude. Double immunostaining studies suggest accumulation of tubules and ubiquitin-associated proteins within swellings. Swollen and vacuolated IENF were identified in @entity1 with @entity16 by conventional and immuno-electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Increased swelling ratio predicted the decrease in IENF density in @entity1 with @entity21115 . Its quantification could support earlier diagnosis of sensory axonopathy.

Axonal swellings predict the degeneration of epidermal nerve fibers in painful XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity5473 :: ('6855', 'Gene') :: ['synaptophysin'] @entity16 :: ('MESH:D009422', 'Disease') :: ['Progression of neuropathy', 'neuropathy'] @entity1547 :: ('MESH:D003731', 'Disease') :: ['decay in sural nerve'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity21115 :: ('MESH:C564945', 'Disease') :: ['painful neuropathy']
@entity16 :: (MESH:D009422,Disease) :: ['neuropathies']
