What are indications for skin biopsy?
A cutaneous nerve/skin biopsy is an easy and minimally invasive technique which permits the examination of the small sensory nerves in the skin. These are the nerves which conduct information about pain and temperature and are frequently involved in certain kinds of peripheral nerve damage (neuropathies). The skin biopsy allows for the identification of these nerves and an examination of their number and state of health. In general, when these nerves are affected by a peripheral neuropathy, the number and shape of the nerves is abnormal and can be recognized under the microscope.
