Diagnostic methods used in patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: With special importance on radiological methods

The quality of life of patients with diabetes having peripheral neuropathy can be improved with an early detection of this detrimental diagnosis. This review summarizes the already established diagnostic methods (electrodiagnostic and sensory screening) and the recent radiological diagnostic methods (ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging) used in the screening of peripheral nerves health in diabetic patients. Electronic searches were conducted of databases PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Medline to retrieve the relevant studies in the review. The independent selection, appraisal, and data extraction were done by two reviewers. The searched articles were categorized into three diagnostic methods categories, namely, electrodiagnostic, sensory screening, and radiological. Two diagnostic methods were included under electro diagnostic and radiological methods and eight diagnostic tests were included under sensory screening. High-resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance neurography have higher sensitivity and specificity to detect early peripheral nerve lesions among all methods. This review will help clinicians to facilitate the early correct diagnosis of the severity of neuropathy in patients with diabetes.