title: Cutaneous nerve elimination following punch biopsy.
abstract: We report the first case of cutaneous nerve elimination following routine punch biopsy and primary closure. The appearance of a delicate whitish strand from a healed biopsy site, which produces lancinating pain, may represent an extruded cutaneous nerve. This case was treated successfully with simple transection of the nerve at its portal of exit.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000473:pathology; D004890:Erythema / Q000473:pathology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology; D005546:Forehead / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000473:pathology*