Nerve Biopsy in Boulder, CO

Alpine Surgical offers a range of diagnostic procedures to help patients get the right treatment, including nerve biopsy. This can yield important information regarding nerve disorders and support tracking illness progression. Read on to learn more about nerve biopsy in Boulder, CO.

Evaluation of Peripheral Nerve Conditions

A nerve biopsy involves the removal of a small portion of nerve tissue for microscopic analysis. This aids in the diagnosis and comprehension of a number of neurological disorders, including neuropathy and nerve tumors. To ensure that there is little effect on motor function, the biopsy is usually done on sensory nerves, such as the sural nerve in the ankle.

Reasons for Nerve Biopsy

A nerve biopsy could be performed to aid in the diagnosis of the following:

• Axon degeneration or the breakdown of the nerve cell’s axon part
• Small nerve damage
• Demyelination or the breakdown of portions of the nerve’s myelin sheath
• Neuropathy, or inflammatory nerve disorders
• Abnormal deposits of protein in the nerve
• Inflammation of the blood vessels in the nerve
• Possible nerve tumor

Nerve Biopsy Procedure

Before the procedure, our surgeon will apply a local anesthetic, or numbing medication, to the affected area. A tiny surgical incision is made, and a portion of the nerve is extracted. After that, the wound is sealed and covered with a bandage. After being sent to a lab, the nerve sample is viewed under a microscope.

Usually, a nerve biopsy takes 45 minutes. This covers the duration of the actual biopsy process, local anesthetic, and wound dressing. When the numbing medication is delivered, you will experience a slight sting and a prick. After the test, the biopsy site can hurt for a few days.

The nerve sample will be sent to our pathology lab, where it will be processed and examined under a microscope to look for anomalies. It may take several weeks to complete the entire process, from pre-biopsy preparations to post-biopsy care, including results.

Risks of Nerve Biopsy

Despite being widely regarded as safe, possible hazards include scarring, bleeding, infection, temporary or permanent numbness, and in rare instances, persistent discomfort. Patients with allergies to anesthesia may also be affected (in rare cases).

Nerve Biopsy at Alpine Surgical

Nerve biopsy is a valuable and effective diagnostic tool for determining certain conditions. Suppose your physician deemed it necessary for you to undergo this procedure. In that case, Alpine Surgical is the trusted place for nerve biopsy in Boulder, CO. Contact our office today to learn more about the procedure or to schedule an appointment.