Why Perform a Skin Biopsy on a Patient with Suspected Neuropathy

• To diagnose small fiber neuropathy.


• To follow progression of the neuropathy and the response to therapy.


• To provide documentation, for purposes of insurance coverage, to support recommended treatments.


• To confirm the diagnosis of sensory neuropathy in a patient with a compatible clinical presentation but normal electrodiagnostic studies.


• To differentiate between length-dependent neuropathy, ganglionopathy, or multifocal neuropathy.


• To diagnose vasculitic neuropathy that also involves the skin.


• To diagnose amyloid neuropathy in a patient with amyloid skin deposits.


• To participate in clinical trial studies where a skin biopsy is used to assess normal or abnormal status of subjects.

Diagnostic chart

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