Vasa nervorum explained

Vasa nervorum are small arteries that provide blood supply to peripheral nerves, specifically to the interior parts of nerves,^[1] and their coverings.^[2]

Associated pathologic conditions

Small vessels like vasa vasorum and vasa nervorum are particularly susceptible to external mechanical compression.^[2] A decrease in blood flow through the vasa nervorum has been implicated in the development of diabetic neuropathy. Arteritis of the vasa nervorum leads to mononeuritis multiplex or polyneuropathy.^[3] Occlusion of vasa nervorum at the level of the epineurial arterioles leads to ischemia of nerves, leading to vasculitic neuropathy.^{[3] [4]} and has been implicated as the cause in a few cases of facial nerve paralysis.^[3] During invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, injecting a vasoconstrictor close to a nerve can reduce perfusion to its supplying vessel, risking ischemic nerve injury.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Rohkamm, Reinhard . Ill. by Manfred Güther. Transl. rev. by Ethan Taub. [Orig. transl.: Suzyon O'Neal Wandrey]. Color atlas of neurology. limited. 2004. Thieme. Stuttgart [u.a.]. 9781588901910. 90.
2. Book: Moore, Keith L. . Anne M.R. . Agur . Arthur F. . Dalley. Clinically oriented anatomy. 2010. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Wolters Kluwer. Philadelphia [etc.]. 9781605476520. 50. 6th ed., [International ed.]..
3. Book: Imboden. John B. . John H. . Stone . David B. . Hellman. Current rheumatology diagnosis & treatment. 2007. Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division. New York ; Toronto. 9780071460408. 2nd.
4. Said. G. Necrotizing peripheral nerve vasculitis.. Neurologic Clinics. November 1997. 15. 4. 835–48. 9367967. 10.1016/s0733-8619(05)70350-9.
5. Book: Chelly. Jacques E.. Peripheral nerve blocks : a color atlas. 2009. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 9780781768764. 214. 3rd.