Neuritis – What are the signs and symptoms, relevant dDx., sequelae, work up, and treatment options?

Neuritis is general inflammation of the peripheral nervous system and includes polyneuritis, brachial neuritis, optic neuritis, vestibular neuritis, cranial neuritis and arsenic neuritis. It can be caused by infection, chemical injury, physical injury, radiation, or underlying disease (diabetes, diphtheria, B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, metabolic disease, porphyria, infection, autoimmune disease, MS, alcoholism, cancer).

Sn. & Sx.:

• Pain
• Paresthesia
• Numbness
• Anesthesia
• Paralysis
• Weakness
• Wasting
• Areflexia

dDx.:

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Compression or entrapment neuropathies
• Demyelinating neuropathies (Lewis-Summer syndrome, multiple sclerosis)
• Guillain-Barre syndrome

Sequelae:

• Permanent neurological deficit

Work up:

• Nerve conduction studies
• Nerve biopsy

Tx.:

• Anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids)
• Treat underlying condition

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This post was written by Omar Rifai