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Clinical utility of peripheral nerve biopsy

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Abstract

Histopathologic evaluation of nerve biopsy specimens provides important diagnostic information in some patients with peripheral neuropathy. The role of nerve biopsy is more restricted than that of muscle biopsy. Nerve biopsy is utilized mainly for diagnosis of vasculitis and infiltrative neuropathies. It is also utilized in diagnosis of atypical inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies in which the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and laboratory features are inconclusive. In addition, the study of nerve histopathology can also enhance our understanding of disease pathogenesis.

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  1. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, F878, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    David Lacomis MD

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Lacomis, D. Clinical utility of peripheral nerve biopsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 5, 41–47 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-005-0022-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-005-0022-3

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