LAUSR

BACKGROUND Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a devastating complication of some diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system. Initial subjective and objective presentation of the disease can be variable. Common among all presentations seems to be uncontrolled inflammation yielding dislocations and/or fractures. The exact cause remains the subject of much debate. METHODS Our study retrospectively looks at the function of olfactory function in consecutive patients with CN and compares the findings with a nonaffected population. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test was used to assess olfaction and document microsomia. RESULTS Twenty consecutive patients presenting with CN demonstrated significant (P < .0001) microsomia when compared to an unaffected population with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Microsomia is strongly associated with CN. This finding may be correlated to voltage-gated sodium 1.7 channel impairment and appears to be a candidate precursor for the development of CN.