In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of the Cornea in Diagnosing Small Fibre Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of corneal in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in the diagnostic process of small fibre neuropathy (SFN) compared to skin biopsy. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed at the Eye Hospital and Institute of Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and included 35 patients with a clinical picture of SFN. All patients underwent a neurological exam that included an SFN questionnaire, standard skin biopsy, and ophthalmological assessment, including corneal IVCM. Results: Skin biopsy confirmed SFN in 14/35 patients (40%). These patients had a significantly shorter corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) compared to those with negative biopsy (13.67 ± 2.99 mm/mm² vs. 16.27 ±

SUBMITTER: Petrovic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427913 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature