Peripheral neuropathy and vibration syndrome. A clinical and neurophysiological study of 103 patients.

Hundred and three patients with suspected or diagnosed vibration syndrome caused by the prolonged use of chain saws were examined during 1978-1980. Neurological or neurophysiological examinations revealed slight changes suggesting polyneuropathy in the lower extremities of 42 patients. Peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was only detected in 39 patients. No evidence of peripheral neuropathy was found in 22 patients. The polyneuropathic patients did not significantly differ from the non-polyneuropathic patients with regard to other clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, or data on exposure. We concluded that patients with neuropathic diathesis tend to be selected into groups of patients with suspected vibration syndrome. This study emphasizes the need for the careful neurological examination of each patient with suspected vibration syndrome.