Clinical and Electrophysiologic Review of Patients with Common Peroneal Mononeuropathy

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2000;2(1):17-23.
Published online May 9, 2000.

Abstract

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiologic findings of patients with common peroneal neuropathy. Methods : Eighty-seven patients (94 lesions) with electrodiagnostically confirmed common peroneal neuropathy were analyzed via the medical records and electrodiagnostic findings. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the pathophysiologic process: conduction block; axonal loss; and the mixed. The relation of pathophysiologic process and the time from the onset to the examination was analyzed. Results : Most common etiology of common peroneal neuropathy was fracture of the lower extremity (50%) and the second was compression around the fibular head (26.6%). The pathosphysiology was predominantly axonal loss regardless of etilogy: 83 axonal loss; 7 conduction block; and 4 mixed type. Conduction block pattern was significantly observed (p<0.05) when electrophysiologic study was performed within 10 days post-onset. Conclusion : Nerve conduction study must be interpreted cautiously when performed within the first 10 days after onset and follow-up examination would be needed to asses the severity and prognosis of disease.

Key Words: Common peroneal neuropathy, Axonal loss, Conduction block, Mixed type