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Comparison between fascicular and whole sural nerve biopsy
Author(s) -
Pollock Martin,
Nukada Hitoshi,
Taylor Peter,
Donaldson Ivan,
Carroll Grant
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410130114
Subject(s) - sural nerve , medicine , biopsy , nerve biopsy , nerve conduction , sensory loss , sensory nerve , surgery , sensory system , pathology , peripheral neuropathy , neuroscience , psychology , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
Sural nerve regeneration and sensation were evaluated in 16 subjects five or more years after fascicular or whole nerve biopsy. Conduction studies demonstrated successful nerve regeneration in all subjects who had whole nerve biopsy. Postbiopsy interrogation revealed no long‐term pain or paresthesias but a high incidence of tactile‐induced dysesthesias. No significant difference was seen when areas of sural sensory loss were compared in fascicular and whole nerve biopsy groups. We conclude that whole nerve biopsy should be recommended in preference to fascicular biopsy since it is simpler, has greater diagnostic potential, and allows for a more complete morphological evaluation.