[Pathological changes in the vagus nerves in chronic alcoholism].

A systematic morphometric examination of the vagus nerves at different levels obtained at autopsy in 4 control subjects and 6 alcoholic patients. Morphometric studies on myelinated fibres were performed on the nerve at the mid-cervical, lung hilum and diaphragmatic levels. In the patients with alcoholic neuropathy there was a significant reduction in density of myelinated fibers in the distal part of the vagus nerves when compared with controls. The more severe distal degeneration in the nerves and the pathological changes of axonal degeneration distally are consistent with the dying back neuropathy. The relation between the secondary segmental demyelination and degeneration of the involved nerves were discussed.