In sensory findings, which is more characteristic of radiculopathy than peripheral neuropathy?

• A. Radiculopathy presents dermatomal sensory loss
• B. Radiculopathy presents nerve-specific sensory loss
• C. Peripheral neuropathy presents sensory loss that respects a dermatome
• D. Peripheral neuropathy presents non-dermatomal patches

Answer: (B)

Radiculopathy arises from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root, so the sensory deficit tends to map to a defined region tied to that root—that is, a nerve-specific sensory loss. This root-level pattern stands in contrast to peripheral neuropathy, which affects distal peripheral nerves and often produces more diffuse, non-dermatomal, or stocking-glove patterns rather than a single root’s distribution. So the characteristic feature that helps distinguish radiculopathy here is the nerve-specific, root-appropriate sensory loss.