Card kit

Invitae Small Fiber Neuropathy Test

Test code: 03220 •

Test description

The Invitae Small Fiber Neuropathy Test analyzes up to two genes that are associated with small fiber neuropathy (SFNP), a type of peripheral neuropathy characterized by severe pain episodes that typically begin in the hands or feet, then affect larger areas of the body over time. Nerve biopsies typically show reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) affecting small-diameter nerve fibers. The genes in this test were curated based on current available evidence to provide a comprehensive test for the genetic causes of SFNP.

Given that small fiber neuropathy is a heterogeneous disorder, identification of the underlying genetic cause can help predict patient outcome and inform recurrence risk.

Disorders tested

  • congenital indifference to pain (CIP)
  • familial episodic pain syndrome (FEPS)
  • generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+)
  • hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN)
  • paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEXPD)
  • primary erythermalgia (PE)
  • small fiber neuropathy (SFNP)

Ordering information

Turnaround time:

10–21 calendar days (14 days on average)

New York approved:

Yes

Preferred specimen:

3mL whole blood in a purple-top EDTA tube (K2EDTA or K3EDTA)

Alternate specimens:

Saliva, buccal swab, and gDNA are also accepted.Learn more about specimen requirementsRequest a specimen collection kit

Clinical description and sensitivity

Clinical description:

Small fiber neuropathy (SFNP) is characterized by neuropathic burning or stabbing pain that typically occurs in the distal lower extremities and presents between adolescence and adulthood. Pain may be accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as heart palpitations, dry eyes, dry mouth, heart palpitations, and/or orthostatic hypotension-induced dizziness. Affected individuals typically experience heightened sensitivity to pain in general, but cannot feel pain concentrated in very small areas, such as a pinprick. Individuals may also have other sensory issues, such as the reduced ability to differentiate between hot and cold temperatures. Symptoms of this painful neuropathy may worsen over time and extend to include other parts of the body in addition to the hands and feet. The principal nerve biopsy finding consists of decreased small nerve fiber diameter.

Gene Inheritance Clinical subtypes and other conditions associated with each gene
Autosomal dominant Autosomal recessive X-linked
SCN9A ✓ ✓ generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFSP), primary erythermalgia, hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 2D (HSAN2D), congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEXPD)
SCN10A ✓ familial episodic pain syndrome 2 (FEPS2)

Clinical description and sensitivity

Clinical description:

Small fiber neuropathy (SFNP) is characterized by neuropathic burning or stabbing pain that typically occurs in the distal lower extremities and presents between adolescence and adulthood. Pain may be accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as heart palpitations, dry eyes, dry mouth, heart palpitations, and/or orthostatic hypotension-induced dizziness. Affected individuals typically experience heightened sensitivity to pain in general, but cannot feel pain concentrated in very small areas, such as a pinprick. Individuals may also have other sensory issues, such as the reduced ability to differentiate between hot and cold temperatures. Symptoms of this painful neuropathy may worsen over time and extend to include other parts of the body in addition to the hands and feet. The principal nerve biopsy finding consists of decreased small nerve fiber diameter.

Gene Inheritance Clinical subtypes and other conditions associated with each gene
Autosomal dominant Autosomal recessive X-linked
SCN9A ✓ ✓ generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFSP), primary erythermalgia, hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 2D (HSAN2D), congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEXPD)
SCN10A ✓ familial episodic pain syndrome 2 (FEPS2)

Clinical sensitivity:


Pathogenic variants in the SCN9A gene account for approximately 30% of cases of small fiber neuropathy. The proportion of small fiber neuropathy accounted for by SCN10A is unknown.

Assay information

Invitae is a College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory performing full-gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS).

Our sequence analysis covers clinically important regions of each gene, including coding exons and 10 to 20 base pairs of adjacent intronic sequence on either side of the coding exons in the transcript listed below, depending on the specific gene or test. In addition, the analysis covers select non-coding variants. Any variants that fall outside these regions are not analyzed. Any limitations in the analysis of these genes will be listed on the report. Contact client services with any questions.

Based on validation study results, this assay achieves >99% analytical sensitivity and specificity for single nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions <15bp in length, and exon-level deletions and duplications. Invitae's methods also detect insertions and deletions larger than 15bp but smaller than a full exon but sensitivity for these may be marginally reduced. Invitae’s deletion/duplication analysis determines copy number at a single exon resolution at virtually all targeted exons. However, in rare situations, single-exon copy number events may not be analyzed due to inherent sequence properties or isolated reduction in data quality. Certain types of variants, such as structural rearrangements (e.g. inversions, gene conversion events, translocations, etc.) or variants embedded in sequence with complex architecture (e.g. short tandem repeats or segmental duplications), may not be detected. Additionally, it may not be possible to fully resolve certain details about variants, such as mosaicism, phasing, or mapping ambiguity. Unless explicitly guaranteed, sequence changes in the promoter, non-coding exons, and other non-coding regions are not covered by this assay. Please consult the test definition on our website for details regarding regions or types of variants that are covered or excluded for this test. This report reflects the analysis of an extracted genomic DNA sample. In very rare cases, (circulating hematolymphoid neoplasm, bone marrow transplant, recent blood transfusion) the analyzed DNA may not represent the patient's constitutional genome.

Assay information

Invitae is a College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory performing full-gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS).

Our sequence analysis covers clinically important regions of each gene, including coding exons and 10 to 20 base pairs of adjacent intronic sequence on either side of the coding exons in the transcript listed below, depending on the specific gene or test. In addition, the analysis covers select non-coding variants. Any variants that fall outside these regions are not analyzed. Any limitations in the analysis of these genes will be listed on the report. Contact client services with any questions.

Based on validation study results, this assay achieves >99% analytical sensitivity and specificity for single nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions <15bp in length, and exon-level deletions and duplications. Invitae's methods also detect insertions and deletions larger than 15bp but smaller than a full exon but sensitivity for these may be marginally reduced. Invitae’s deletion/duplication analysis determines copy number at a single exon resolution at virtually all targeted exons. However, in rare situations, single-exon copy number events may not be analyzed due to inherent sequence properties or isolated reduction in data quality. Certain types of variants, such as structural rearrangements (e.g. inversions, gene conversion events, translocations, etc.) or variants embedded in sequence with complex architecture (e.g. short tandem repeats or segmental duplications), may not be detected. Additionally, it may not be possible to fully resolve certain details about variants, such as mosaicism, phasing, or mapping ambiguity. Unless explicitly guaranteed, sequence changes in the promoter, non-coding exons, and other non-coding regions are not covered by this assay. Please consult the test definition on our website for details regarding regions or types of variants that are covered or excluded for this test. This report reflects the analysis of an extracted genomic DNA sample. In very rare cases, (circulating hematolymphoid neoplasm, bone marrow transplant, recent blood transfusion) the analyzed DNA may not represent the patient's constitutional genome.

Order test

You can customize this test by clicking genes to remove them.

Primary panel

1 gene selected
SCN9A
Select add-on genes
1 gene

Preliminary-evidence genes currently have early evidence of a clinical association with the specific disease covered by this test. Some clinicians may wish to include a gene which does not currently have a definitive clinical association, but which may prove to be clinically significant in the future. This gene can be added at no additional charge. Visit our "(external) Preliminary-evidence genes":/preliminary-evidence/ page to learn more.

Question about billing? 

Find answers