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Definition:
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A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.
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Alternative Names:
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Biopsy - nerve
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How the test is performed:
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A nerve biopsy is most often done on a nerve in the ankle or wrist.
The health care provider apply medicine to numb the area before the procedure. The doctor makes a small surgical cut and removes a piece of the nerve. The nerve sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined under a microscope.
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How to prepare for the test:
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There is no special preparation.
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How the test will feel:
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When the numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected, you will feel a prick and a mild sting. The biopsy site will be sore for a few days after the test.
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Why the test is performed:
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Nerve biopsy may be done to help diagnose:
- Axon degeneration (destruction of the axon portion of the nerve cell)
- Damage to the small nerves
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Demyelination (destruction of parts of the myelin sheath covering the nerve)
- Inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies)
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
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Normal Values:
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A normal result means the nerve appears normal.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
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What abnormal results mean:
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Abnormal results may be due to:
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What the risks are:
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Allergic reaction to the local anesthetic
- Discomfort after the procedure
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
- Permanent nerve damage (uncommon; minimized by careful site selection)
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Special considerations:
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Nerve biopsy is invasive and is useful only in certain situations. Talk to your doctor about your options.
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References:
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Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 446.
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