MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Nerve biopsy

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Nerve biopsy

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.

Update Date: 4/30/2007

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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