Hereditary Peripheral Neuropathy Of The Lower Limb: 5 Case Reports From 1 Family

BackgroundHereditary peripheral neuropathy is a common disease among hereditary neuropathies.However,hereditary peripheral neuropathy of the lower limb with recurrent foot ulcer is quite rare.Usually,these patients go to the surgery department or wound department for help.But if the surgeon doesn't know the characteristic of this disease,it will be a tough task both closing the wound and preventing it from recurrence.During the year 2007,our wound clinic received 2 cases of this disease. After 3 months treatment,we successfully closed their wounds.Reoccurrence of their wounds were prevented by giving educations and frequent follow-up;we prevent these wounds from.Furthermore,other 3 close relatives in their family have similar symptoms were found during follow-up.MethodsMedical information of the proband and her relative from the closest 3 generations were recorded.Such Information includes medical history,physical examination,bioelectrical examination result,the treatment and prognosis after healing.ResultA cohort of 20 family members were investigated.Among them,5 patients present significant symptoms similar to the proband.Both of their two legs have severe symptoms of sensory and autonomic neuropathy.However,when we conducted electromyography to the proband,the results showed that both her sensor and motor nerves were damaged.After complete debridement,the 2 patients received wound manage and off-loading therapies for 3 months.Their wounds healed at last.They walk with customed footwear and take foot care every night thereafter.1 year after healing their plantar ulcer did not reoccurred.ConclusionsHereditary peripheral neuropathy is a common disease among hereditary neuropathies,but,the phenomenon appears on this family that neuropathy has such close relationship with recurrent foot ulcer is quite rare.Although there is no radical treatment for this common and hereditary disease jet,proper symptomatic treatment such as wound management and off-loading therapy seems to be very effective.More genetic and molecular study of this disease should be conducted if we want to find a radical solution for it.