Diagnostic usefulness and limitations of the sural nerve biopsy.
In recent years, the sural nerve biopsy has become a commonly performed procedure in the diagnostic work-up of patients with peripheral neuropathy. This paper reviews the diagnostic usefulness and limitations of this procedure. Based on 385 sural nerve biopsies, we found clinically helpful or relevant information in 45% of cases. In 24% of cases, specific diagnoses were obtained, among which vasculitic neuropathy was most common.
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S J
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Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000473:pathology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology*