[Sensory neuropathies]

This review paper analyzes the different steps in the diagnosis of peripheral sensory neuropathies. Although electrodiagnostic tests are almost invariably needed, other investigations should be performed according to an accurate prior clinical evaluation. Some causes are frequent and easy to discover, such as diabetes and chronic renal failure. On the opposite, genetically determined and dysimmune neuropathies are less frequent, and may go unrecognized for a long time. A careful survey of the clinical, biological and electrophysiological features sometimes discloses a specific aetiology of an initially unclassified neuropathy.