Vasa nervorum

Vasa nervorum are small arteries that provide blood supply to peripheral nerves. These vessels supply blood to 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] Vasa vasorum and 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 nervosum at level of epineurial arterioles leads to ischemia of nerves leading to vasculitic neuropathy.^[3][4] and has been implicated as cause in few cases of facial nerve paralysis.^[3] During invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, injecting a vasoconstrictor close to nerve can reduce perfusion to its supplying vessel, risking ischemic nerve injury.^[5]

References

1. Color atlas of neurology. Stuttgart [u.a.]: Thieme. 2004. p. 90. ISBN 9781588901910. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
2. Clinically oriented anatomy (6th ed., [International ed.]. ed.). Philadelphia [etc.]: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Wolters Kluwer. 2010. p. 50. ISBN 9781605476520. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
3. Hellmann, [edited by] John B. Imboden, John H. Stone, David B. (2007). Current rheumatology diagnosis & treatment (2nd ed.). New York ; Toronto: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division. ISBN 9780071460408.
4. Said, G (November 1997). "Necrotizing peripheral nerve vasculitis.". Neurologic Clinics 15 (4): 835–48. doi:10.1016/s0733-8619(05)70350-9. PMID 9367967.
5. Chelly, edited by Jacques E. (2009). Peripheral nerve blocks : a color atlas (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 214. ISBN 9780781768764.