pathology report question
 

what is "Scattered varicosities and axonal swellings are noted"

These refer--
 

--to damage to microscopic blood vessels (the varicosities) and swelling of the actual small fibers (the axons).

Both are indicative of damage to the small-fiber nerve environment and are found in small-fiber syndromes. They don't necessarily imply a cause, though--they can be seen in diabetic, toxic, autoimmune, and even nutritional neuropathies.