Pain Flashcards
dysesthesia
Dysesthesia is a generic term for a cutaneous symptom–such as pruritus, burning, tingling, stinging, anesthesia, hypoesthesia, tickling, crawling, cold sensation, or even pain–without a primary cutaneous condition in a well-defined location that is often caused by nerve trauma, impingement, or irritation.
Placement of c-fiber receptors
the epidermis
Placement of A-delta-fiber receptors
the dermis
Typical representation of Small Fiber neuropathy
Burning feet syndrome
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the affected area.
morphological
of, relating to, or concerned with form or structure.
Corneal confocal microscopy
morphological method to look at the small fiber function. The method allows us to see cornel innervation, which can tell us about skin innervation (non-invasive). Is hoped to be used rather than skin biopsies in the future
Microneurography
most precise ways to analyse single fibers using a micro electrode, searching for spontaneous activity
mutations for this is mostly associated with small fiber function?
ion-channels
Quantitativ sensory testing
Test battery that includes tests to determine the thermal threshold
Autonomic test of SNF
quantifying sweating
idiopathy
An idiopathic disease is any disease with an unknown cause or mechanism of apparent spontaneous origin
polymorphism
polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms, also referred to as alternative phenotypes, in the population of a species. … Put simply, polymorphism is when there are two or more possibilities of a trait on a gene.
Wild type gene
A non-mutated gene
Anosmia
the partial or full loss of smell, might be experienced with Congenital Insensitivity to pain
Small Fiber Neuropathy
Subgroup of sensory neuropathies, Pathology: A-delta and C fibers, symptom: burning pain in feet and hands. Fibers might be reduced, and this is examined using Neurological and electrophysiological examination. Electroneurography is normal or slightly abnormal
Methods for examining SFN
Quantitativ sensory testing, Autonomic tests, Skin biopsy, Corneal confocal microscopy, pain-related evoked potentials, Microneurography, genetics, histology (stains), electrophysiology (patch clamp), gene expression, cell cultures, animal models
Skin biopsy
Used to find possible fiber reduction (morphological)
Corneal confocal microscopy
allows us to see cornel innervation, which can tell us about skin innervation (non-invasive, morphological)
Microneurography
most precise ways to analyze single fibers using a micro electrode, searching for spontaneous activity
features of SFN
Localized, superficial, burning pain and dysesthesias at toes and feet, permanent pain, usually no trigger, Normal neurological and only marginally abnormal electrophysiology, the disorder is usually confined and does not spread.
Patients have an increase in thermal perception hold (cold and warm) - need more stimulus for same effect and there is a decrease in fiber density.
Diagnosis of SFN
There is idiopathic cases, and it can be caused by many secondary cases such as diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, HIV, etc. Often we see a mutation in the sodium channel genes
Erythromelalgia
Hereditary or sporadic forms, Attacks of severe burning pain and red, hot extremities
Unilateral
Pathophysiology of Erythromelalgia
Mutations to the NaV1.7 gene, which leads to hyperactivity in the channels and excessive neuronal firing