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Murphy K, Nasralla M, Pron G, Almohaimede K, Schievink W. Management of Tarlov cysts: an uncommon but potentially serious spinal column disease-review of the literature and experience with over 1000 referrals. Neuroradiology 2024; 66:1-30. [PMID: 37828278 PMCID: PMC10761484 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03226-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Tarlov cysts were thought to be anatomic variants of uncertain etiology and clinical significance when initially described over 80 years ago. They are often detected in routine lumbosacral imaging and generally not reported in a differential diagnosis. There is increasing evidence that at least some Tarlov cysts are symptomatic and can have a significant adverse impact on patients' health and well-being. Women are disproportionately affected with this condition, often presenting with long-standing pain and neurological dysfunctions. Significant gender bias has been a concern in the management of these patients. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on patient selection or management approaches for symptomatic Tarlov cysts. This review article updates information on the prevalence, diagnosis, clinical significance, and treatments of these cysts. Based on these findings and experience with over 1000 patient referrals, a treatment decision algorithm for symptomatic Tarlov cysts was constructed to provide guidance for appropriate management of patients with these complex cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Murphy
- Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.
| | - Mehran Nasralla
- Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Gaylene Pron
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Institute Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Khaled Almohaimede
- Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Wouter Schievink
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, 6Th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
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Wirth KJ, Löhn M. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Comorbidities: Linked by Vascular Pathomechanisms and Vasoactive Mediators? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050978. [PMID: 37241210 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is often associated with various other syndromes or conditions including mast cell activation (MCA), dysmenorrhea and endometriosis, postural tachycardia (POTS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN). The causes of these syndromes and the reason for their frequent association are not yet fully understood. We previously published a comprehensive hypothesis of the ME/CFS pathophysiology that explains the majority of symptoms, findings and chronicity of the disease. We wondered whether some of the identified key pathomechanisms in ME/CFS are also operative in MCA, endometriosis and dysmenorrhea, POTS, decreased cerebral blood flow and SFN, and possibly may provide clues on their causes and frequent co-occurrence. Our analysis indeed provides strong arguments in favor of this assumption, and we conclude that the main pathomechanisms responsible for this association are excessive generation and spillover into the systemic circulation of inflammatory and vasoactive tissue mediators, dysfunctional β2AdR, and the mutual triggering of symptomatology and disease initiation. Overall, vascular dysfunction appears to be a strong common denominator in these linkages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus J Wirth
- Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Löhn
- Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kasimir F, Toomey D, Liu Z, Kaiping AC, Ariza ME, Prusty BK. Tissue specific signature of HHV-6 infection in ME/CFS. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1044964. [PMID: 36589231 PMCID: PMC9795011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1044964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
First exposure to various human herpesviruses (HHVs) including HHV-6, HCMV and EBV does not cause a life-threatening disease. In fact, most individuals are frequently unaware of their first exposure to such pathogens. These herpesviruses acquire lifelong latency in the human body where they show minimal genomic activity required for their survival. We hypothesized that it is not the latency itself but a timely, regionally restricted viral reactivation in a sub-set of host cells that plays a key role in disease development. HHV-6 (HHV-6A and HHV-6B) and HHV-7 are unique HHVs that acquire latency by integration of the viral genome into sub-telomeric region of human chromosomes. HHV-6 reactivation has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other diseases. However, lack of viral activity in commonly tested biological materials including blood or serum strongly suggests tissue specific localization of active HHV-6 genome. Here in this paper, we attempted to analyze active HHV-6 transcripts in postmortem tissue biopsies from a small cohort of ME/CFS patients and matched controls by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a probe against HHV-6 microRNA (miRNA), miR-aU14. Our results show abundant viral miRNA in various regions of the human brain and associated neuronal tissues including the spinal cord that is only detected in ME/CFS patients and not in controls. Our findings provide evidence of tissue-specific active HHV-6 and EBV infection in ME/CFS, which along with recent work demonstrating a possible relationship between herpesvirus infection and ME/CFS, provide grounds for renewed discussion on the role of herpesviruses in ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Kasimir
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Danny Toomey
- HHV-6 Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Zheng Liu
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Agnes C. Kaiping
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Eugenia Ariza
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBG), Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Bhupesh K. Prusty
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,*Correspondence: Bhupesh K. Prusty,
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Huang Q, Li J, Zhou Q, Li H, Yang X, Peng L, Chen L, Qi S, Lu Y. Management of Symptomatic Sacral Perineural Cysts: A New Surgical Method. World Neurosurg 2022; 167:e978-e989. [PMID: 36058485 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.08.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsurgical techniques are increasingly being recommended for the treatment of symptomatic Tarlov cysts (TCs) due to improved long-term outcomes compared to those of other strategies. However, these techniques are associated with a high risk of cyst recurrence and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, resulting in the surgical strategy of TCs remaining controversial. We hypothesize that incomplete closure of the ostium between the cyst and the subarachnoid space is the probable cause of surgical failure. Accordingly, we present a novel method of cyst separation and ostium closure that aims to block the ostium more firmly and reliably. METHODS Thirty-five consecutive patients (21 females) underwent the modified ostium obstruction surgery due to symptomatic TCs. We collected and compared their outcomes at the final follow-up to evaluate the surgical effect. RESULTS Thirty-five patients had 74 TCs (S2 level, 48.7%; mean diameter, 2.0 ± 1.0 cm); ostia nerve root fibers were found in all TCs. The mean follow-up duration was 37.8 (range, 13.5-76.8) months. At the final follow-up, 33 patients experienced complete or substantial resolution of the preoperative symptoms. The symptom with the highest improvement rate was radicular pain. Both the modified evaluation criteria for the efficacy of lumbar function criterion and Japanese Orthopedic Association score 29 showed an overall improvement rate of 94.3%. Two patients experienced surgery-related neurological dysfunction. No cyst recurrence or CSF leakage was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that all cysts disappeared or significantly reduced postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS The microscopic fenestration of cysts and modified ostium obstruction described herein is a safe and effective strategy for management of patients with symptomatic TCs and is associated with a low incidence of cyst recurrence and CSF leakage since it achieves complete closure of cyst ostium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinguo Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuntao Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Neurology Research Institution, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou, China.
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Serratrice N, Taifour S, Attieh C, Faddoul J, Tarabay B, Yachou Y, Chalah MA, Ayache SS, Abi Lahoud GN. CT-Guided Aspiration of a Hemorrhagic Tarlov Cyst for the Treatment of a Post-Partum Sciatica: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature. Front Surg 2022; 9:788786. [PMID: 35903255 PMCID: PMC9314737 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.788786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tarlov or perineural cysts are dilations of nerve roots resulting from a pathologically increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Although it is very common in the general population, most of these cysts remain asymptomatic. In some cases, they can evolve and exert pressure on neural elements, independently from their initial size. Case report In this paper, we describe the case of a 33-year-old female known to have asymptomatic multiple and large radicular and pelvic Tarlov cysts. One cyst located in the right pelvic space progressed acutely after delivery, inducing a painful sciatica without neurological deficit. The intracystic bleeding can be a direct consequence of the delivery, leading to an acute and mechanical local compression of the right S1 root. A CT-guided puncture and aspiration allowed a complete recovery. This case report was completed by a review of the literature of these rare intracystic Tarlov bleedings. Conclusions Intracystic hemorrhage is a rare complication of Tarlov cysts. Delivery-induced cyst bleeding was not described before. Patients known to have large and multiple Tarlov cysts should be monitored in post-partum, as their presence is considered a risk factor. Percutaneous cyst aspiration seems to be an effective and safe treatment to relieve symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joe Faddoul
- ICVNS - CMC Bizet, Paris, France
- Centre Hospitalier de la Côte Basque, Bayonne, France
| | | | | | - Moussa A. Chalah
- ICVNS - CMC Bizet, Paris, France
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique (ENT), Créteil, France
| | - Samar S. Ayache
- ICVNS - CMC Bizet, Paris, France
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique (ENT), Créteil, France
- AP-HP, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, DMU FIxIT, Créteil, France
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Li Y, Wu K, Hu X, Xu T, Li Z, Zhang Y, Li K. Altered Effective Connectivity of Resting-State Networks by Tai Chi Chuan in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: A Multivariate Granger Causality Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:858833. [PMID: 35720086 PMCID: PMC9203735 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.858833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous evidence has shown that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have changes in resting brain functional connectivity, but there is no study on the brain network effect of Tai Chi Chuan intervention in CFS. To explore the influence of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on the causal relationship between brain functional networks in patients with CFS, 21 patients with CFS and 19 healthy controls were recruited for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scale assessment before and after 1month-long training in Tai Chi Chuan. We extracted the resting brain networks using the independent component analysis (ICA) method, analyzed the changes of FC in these networks, conducted Granger causality analysis (GCA) on it, and analyzed the correlation between the difference causality value and the SF-36 scale. Compared to the healthy control group, the SF-36 scale scores of patients with CFS were lower at baseline. Meanwhile, the causal relationship between sensorimotor network (SMN) and default mode network (DMN) was weakened. The above abnormalities could be improved by Tai Chi Chuan training for 1 month. In addition, the correlation analyses showed that the causal relationship between SMN and DMN was positively correlated with the scores of Role Physical (RP) and Bodily Pain (BP) in CFS patients, and the change of causal relationship between SMN and DMN before and after training was positively correlated with the change of BP score. The findings suggest that Tai Chi Chuan is helpful to improve the quality of life for patients with CFS. The change of Granger causality between SMN and DMN may be a readout parameter of CFS. Tai Chi Chuan may promote the functional plasticity of brain networks in patients with CFS by regulating the information transmission between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Wu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tianjiao Xu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zongheng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Zhang
| | - Kuangshi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Kuangshi Li
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Hulens M, Bruyninckx F, Thal DR, Rasschaert R, Bervoets C, Dankaerts W. Large- and Small-Fiber Neuropathy in Patients with Tarlov Cysts. J Pain Res 2022; 15:193-202. [PMID: 35115823 PMCID: PMC8801331 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s342759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Hulens
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: Mieke Hulens, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Leuven, Belgium, Tel +32 478 338003, Fax +32 16 32 91 97, Email
| | - Frans Bruyninckx
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, EMG-Laboratory, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology, and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Chris Bervoets
- Department of Neurosciences, Adult Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department Adult Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center of KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Dankaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wirth KJ, Scheibenbogen C, Paul F. An attempt to explain the neurological symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. J Transl Med 2021; 19:471. [PMID: 34809664 PMCID: PMC8607226 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03143-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence of endothelial dysfunction, muscle and cerebral hypoperfusion in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). In this paper we deduce the pathomechanisms resulting in central nervous pathology and the myriad of neurocognitive symptoms. We outline tentative mechanisms of impaired cerebral blood flow, increase in intracranial pressure and central adrenergic hyperactivity and how they can well explain the key symptoms of cognitive impairment, brain fog, headache, hypersensitivity, sleep disturbances and dysautonomia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friedemann Paul
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Kelley MA, Hackshaw KV. Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density as Measured by Skin Punch Biopsy as a Marker for Small Fiber Neuropathy: Application in Patients with Fibromyalgia. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:536. [PMID: 33802768 PMCID: PMC8002511 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a type of peripheral neuropathy that occurs from damage to the small A-delta and C nerve fibers that results in the clinical condition known as SFN. This pathology may be the result of metabolic, toxic, immune-mediated, and/or genetic factors. Small fiber symptoms can be variable and inconsistent and therefore require an objective biomarker confirmation. Small fiber dysfunction is not typically captured by diagnostic tests for large-fiber neuropathy (nerve conduction and electromyographic study). Therefore, skin biopsies stained with PGP 9.5 are the universally recommended objective test for SFN, with quantitative sensory tests, autonomic function testing, and corneal confocal imaging as secondary or adjunctive choices. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a heterogenous syndrome that has many symptoms that overlap with those found in SFN. A growing body of research has shown approximately 40-60% of patients carrying a diagnosis of FM have evidence of SFN on skin punch biopsy. There is currently no clearly defined phenotype in FM at this time to suggest whom may or may not have SFN, though research suggests it may correlate with severe cases. The skin punch biopsy provides an objective tool for use in quantifying small fiber pathology in FM. Skin punch biopsy may also be repeated for surveillance of the disease as well as measuring response to treatments. Evaluation of SFN in FM allows for better classification of FM and guidance for patient care as well as validation for their symptoms, leading to better use of resources and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A. Kelley
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 1601 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Kevin V. Hackshaw
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 1601 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
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