Biopsy Diagnosis of Peripheral Neuropathy (Relié)

Notwithstanding the advent of novel molecular-genetic techniques for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve diseases, the study of peripheral neuropathy by nerve biopsy is of great importance to clinicians facing an atypical case, and a challenging task for pathologists. This book presents a simple, logical method for constructing a differential diagnosis based on morphological changes in whole nerve biopsy correlated with the clinical features.
It also provides advice on the selection of ancillary molecular, immunohistochemical, and genetic techniques to establish a definitive diagnosis. The book opens by considering the indications for and contraindications to biopsy and the choice of biopsy type and by providing a grounding in the normal peripheral nerve structure. Clear, authoritative guidance is then offered on diagnosis of the full range of neuropathies with the aid of a wealth of high-quality color photomicrographs and electron micrographs.
The pathologist will benefit greatly from the identification of a variety of artifacts and normal structures occasionally encountered in nerve biopsies that need to be distinguished from specific pathologic alterations. Attention is also drawn to relevant dini-cal and morphologic information and to the role of cutting-edge molecular analysis. Every effort has been made to ensure that the text is user friendly.
It has a practical, "how to" focus that will comfort a clinician when first evaluating a challenging biopsy, and it will bean invaluable aid in achieving the most specific diagnosis possible.