Nerve Biopsy: A Last Resort for Unclear Peripheral Neuropathies
A nerve biopsy, a procedure to diagnose unclear peripheral neuropathies, involves removing a small nerve sample for lab examination. It's often considered when motor deficits are present or other diagnostic methods fail. The major risk is long-term nerve damage, although rare.
A nerve biopsy may be performed if a person experiences numbness, pain, or weakness in their extremities. Conditions that may warrant this procedure include alcoholic neuropathy, axillary nerve dysfunction, brachial plexus neuropathy, and more. The procedure can help diagnose damage to the myelin sheath, small nerves, axons, or neuropathies.
Preparation involves a physical examination, stopping certain medications, having blood drawn, fasting, and arranging for a ride home. After the biopsy, results may take several weeks. The surgical wound should be kept clean and bandaged. Other risks include minor discomfort, allergic reaction to anesthetic, and infection. A small area around the biopsy site may remain numb for 6 to 12 months, and in some cases, the numbness may be permanent.
Three types of nerve biopsies may be performed: sensory, selective motor, and fascicular. The procedure is a valuable tool in diagnosing unclear peripheral neuropathies when clinical symptoms and neurophysiological diagnostics do not provide a definitive diagnosis or when an inflammatory or infiltrative neuropathy is suspected.
