Current perception: preferred test for evaluation of peripheral nerve integrity.

Abstract

While other parameters of dialysis may reflect acute events or lack specificity, assessment of peripheral nerve function remains a dependable indicator of the adequacy of high flux and rapid hemodialysis (HD). The nerve conduction test (NCT) is an accurate neurometric technique that is hampered by low patient compliance. This report examines the current perception threshold (CPT) test as a reliable alternative neurometric procedure to the NCT. The reliability of the CPT test was established in a one year longitudinal evaluation of 23 HD patients. CPT and NCT tests were performed on the median and peroneal nerves, bilaterally, with correlations of r = 0.83 for the initial determination and r = 0.80 one year later (P less than 0.001). CPT was shown to be a superior technique to NCT, as it is quick (tested during HD) and painless.