Small Nerve Fiber Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents-Dr. Kuntz Presentation

Dr. Kuntz Presentation

Pdf Summary

The session on "Small Nerve Fiber Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents" led by Drs. Bridget McGowan, Monika Krzesniak-Swanarska, and Nancy L Kuntz focuses on identifying and managing small nerve fiber dysfunction when standard NCS/EMG tests fail to detect issues. The session helps learners recognize symptoms in children, identify non-invasive testing methods, and develop evaluation protocols for neuropathic pain.<br /><br />Dr. Nancy L. Kuntz discusses non-invasive testing at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, highlighting that while some neuropathic conditions impact both large and small nerve fibers, others selectively affect small fibers, often escaping detection by standard tests. This underscores the need for specialized testing approaches.<br /><br />The agenda covers various perspectives, from neurologic and physiatric to non-invasive testing methods. The document details differential diagnoses which encompass hereditary, metabolic, autoimmune, infectious, and toxic causes of small fiber neuropathies.<br /><br />Diagnostic strategies include physiological tests like HRDB, Valsalva Maneuver, Head-Up Tilt Test, and pupillometry. Anatomical studies utilize corneal confocal nerve fiber density (CCNFD) and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IEFND) evaluations. Clinical approaches involve tests like quantitative sensory testing (QST), wind-up ratio assessments, and observing physical signs such as hyperpathia and allodynia.<br /><br />Acknowledging financial disclosures, Dr. Kuntz operates as a principal investigator in clinical research, with institutional funding from various biotech firms. The document encourages providing feedback via an app and details how to claim session credits for professional development.<br /><br />Overall, the session aims to raise awareness and improve diagnostic efficacy for small nerve fiber dysfunction in pediatrics, promoting the development of precise diagnostic and therapeutic practices.

Keywords

small nerve fiber dysfunction

children and adolescents

non-invasive testing

neuropathic pain

diagnostic strategies

Dr. Nancy L. Kuntz

pediatric neuropathy

differential diagnoses

evaluation protocols

physiological tests