Limitations of skin biopsy for diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies
Vallat, J.M.
Revue Neurologique (Paris) 163(12): 1271-1272
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-3787 PMID: 18355482 Document Number: 610033
Skin biopsies can be used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of intraepidermal amyelinic fibers, but are less useful for analyzing the very rare myelinized fibers. Thus, skin biopsy cannot be used as a routine test for the etiological work-up of peripheral neuropathies. Skin biopsies can however be of use for sensorial neuropathies with involvement of the autonomous nervous system, for example in diabetes, since repeated tests can be used to monitor treatment efficacy.