Nerve and Muscle Biopsy

ByMark Freedman, MD, MSc, University of Ottawa
Reviewed/Revised Aug 2023
View Patient Education

    Nerve and muscle biopsy are usually done simultaneously.

    Nerve biopsy can help differentiate axonal from demyelinating polyneuropathies when other tests are inconclusive. A nerve supplying the affected area should be chosen.

    If polyneuropathy may be caused by vasculitis, the sample should include skin to increase the chances of finding a characteristic vascular abnormality.

    If the biopsy shows that nerve endings are lost, skin punch biopsy can help confirm small-fiber polyneuropathy.

    Muscle biopsy can help confirm myopathies.

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