Peripheral matters

Everything that you ever wanted to know, and more, about peripheral nerve diseases in this useful run through the topic. It reminds us that

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common (5% of women. 0.5% of men), it resolves in 20% of cases without treatment, in 50% with steroid injection, and in 75% with surgery
2. Treat severe Bell's palsy with oral prednisolone
3. The commonest causes of symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy are diabetes and alcohol consumption.

Source: Practical Neurology 2008;8:396-405

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Dr Ann Robinson, BMJ Group