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nerve biopsy
Indications:
1) asymmetric multifocal neuropathy
2) vasculitis
3) leprosy
4) sarcoidosis
Contraindications:
Not indicated for symmetric, distal polyneuropathy
1) non-specific findings of little clinical importance
2) typically chronic neuropathy with mixed axonal-demyelinating features
Procedure:
1) sural nerve is generally preferred specimen
a) purely sensory
b) easily obtained
2) superficial radial nerve in upper extremity
Specific
sural nerve biopsy
General
tissue biopsy
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 17.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2015