How do radiculopathy and peripheral polyneuropathy differ in clinical presentation?

• A. Radiculopathy shows dermatomal sensory loss and/or myotomal weakness with segmental reflex changes; neuropathy shows distal symmetric sensory loss and weakness not confined to a single dermatomal pattern and often with stocking-glove distribution.
• B. Radiculopathy shows distal symmetric sensory loss; neuropathy shows dermatomal sensory loss.
• C. Radiculopathy involves only motor symptoms; neuropathy only sensory.
• D. Both have identical patterns.

Answer: (A)

Radiculopathy and peripheral polyneuropathy show distinct patterns because they affect the nervous system at different levels. A nerve root problem produces sensory changes that align with a specific dermatome and weakness that follows a particular myotome, with reflex findings that correspond to that same segment. In other words, symptoms are segmental and localized to a single root level.

Peripheral polyneuropathy, by contrast, involves multiple nerves in a length-dependent way. It tends to start in the distal parts of the limbs, producing symmetrical sensory loss and weakness that are not confined to a single dermatomal pattern—often described as a stocking-glove distribution. Reflex changes are typically distal and can be widespread, reflecting a diffuse peripheral process.

So the best description is that radiculopathy presents with dermatomal sensory and myotomal weakness along with segmental reflex changes, while peripheral polyneuropathy presents with distal symmetric sensory loss and weakness that is not limited to one dermatomal pattern, often with a stocking-glove distribution.