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Sarcoidosis and Small-fiber Neuropathy

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Abstract

Chronic pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among sarcoidosis patients. Not only does it significantly affect quality of life, but it also is a source of frustration for both the patient and physician because the etiology for pain often is unknown. Although patients typically complain of neuropathic-type pain, nerve conduction studies and other conventional diagnostic procedures frequently fail to reveal objective evidence of neurologic disease. However, in recent years, the growing use of specialized tests such as skin biopsy and sudomotor testing has helped to establish the diagnosis of small-fiber neuropathy as the cause of pain in these patients via objective and quantifiable means. Management of sarcoidosis small-fiber neuropathy should consist of target-directed treatment of the underlying disease and appropriate symptomatic therapy.

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No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Neuromuscular Center, 9500 Euclid Avenue, S90, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Jinny Tavee

  2. Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Respiratory Institute, 9500 Euclid Avenue, S90, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Daniel Culver

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  1. Jinny Tavee
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  2. Daniel Culver
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Correspondence to Jinny Tavee.

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Tavee, J., Culver, D. Sarcoidosis and Small-fiber Neuropathy. Curr Pain Headache Rep 15, 201–206 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0180-8

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