Yonsei Med J.  1990 Mar;31(1):1-26. 10.3349/ymj.1990.31.1.1.

Diagnostic usefulness and limitations of the sural nerve biopsy

• Oh SJ

• KMID: 1121417
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1990.31.1.1

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Nerve biopsy; sural nerve biopsy; peripheral neuropathy; diagnosis of neuropathy

MeSH Terms

Biopsy/methods/standards
Evaluation Studies
Histological Techniques
Human
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/classification/*diagnosis
Spinal Nerves/*pathology
Sural Nerve/*pathology