Quantitative and qualitative normative dataset for intraepidermal nerve fibers using skin biopsy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Skin biopsy is the most relevant tool to diagnose small-fiber neuropathy. A well-documented normal dataset for intraepidermal nerve fiber in the distal leg is required to improve its diagnostic value.

Methods

Three hundred healthy subjects were enrolled in the study, after clinical and biological screening to exclude neurological and systemic pathologies. A distal leg biopsy was taken and intraepidermal nerve fiber density after protein gene product-9.5 immunocytochemistry with brightfield microscopy was determined. Morphological variations of intraepidermal nerve fibers, previously described in small-fiber neuropathies, were analyzed. One hundred biopsies were also analyzed at the ultrastructural level.

Findings

The median number of fibers was lower in men

SUBMITTER: Collongues N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5784950 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature