Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Nerve biopsy

Biopsy - nerve

 

A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.

How the Test is Performed

 

A nerve biopsy is most often done on a nerve in the ankle, forearm, or along a rib.

The health care provider applies medicine to numb the area before the procedure. The doctor makes a small surgical cut and removes a piece of the nerve. The cut is then closed and a bandage put on it. The nerve sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined under a microscope.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

There is no special preparation.

 

How the Test will Feel

 

When the numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected, you will feel a prick and a mild sting. The biopsy site may be sore for a few days after the test.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

Nerve biopsy may be done to help diagnose:

  • Axon degeneration (destruction of the axon portion of the nerve cell)
  • Damage to the small nerves
  • Demyelination (destruction of parts of the myelin sheath covering the nerve)
  • Inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies)

Conditions for which the test may be done include any of the following:

  • Alcoholic neuropathy
  • Axillary nerve dysfunction
  • Brachial plexopathy
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary)
  • Common peroneal nerve dysfunction
  • Distal median nerve dysfunction
  • Mononeuritis multiplex
  • Mononeuropathy
  • Necrotizing vasculitis
  • Neurosarcoidosis
  • Radial nerve dysfunction
  • Tibial nerve dysfunction

 

Normal Results

 

A normal result means the nerve appears normal.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

Abnormal results may be due to:

  • Amyloidosis (sural nerve biopsy is most often used)
  • Demyelination
  • Inflammation of the nerve
  • Leprosy
  • Loss of axon tissue
  • Metabolic neuropathies
  • Necrotizing vasculitis
  • Sarcoidosis

 

Risks

 

  • 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)

Nerve biopsy is invasive and is useful only in certain situations. Talk to your provider about your options.

 

 

References

Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 420.

Weis J, Brandner S, Lammens M, Sommer C, Vallat JM. Processing of nerve biopsies: a practical guide for neuropathologists. Clin Neuropathol . 2012;31:7-23. PMID: 22192700 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22192700 .

 
  • Nerve biopsy - illustration

    Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.

    Nerve biopsy

    illustration

    • Nerve biopsy - illustration

      Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.

      Nerve biopsy

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Nerve biopsy

         

         

        Review Date: 6/1/2015

        Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, MD, Kantor Neurology, Coconut Creek, FL and Immediate Past President of the Florida Society of Neurology (FSN), Gainesville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

        The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

         
         
         

         

         

        A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



        Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.