Quote:
Originally Posted by glenntaj
--it means BOTH.
Typical skin biopsy sites are the lower leg near the ankle, the outside of the thigh, and often right above the elbow int he fleshy part of the arm. This is done to see how "length-dependent" any neurological process may be; many neuropathies show slow progression from the nerves farthest away from the center of the body to those closer over time ("distal to proximal gradient").
Since skin biopsy is a quick, relatively non-invasive procedure, it can be repeated in the same locations over time to track progression and patterns. I've had four in nine years. They have shown my re-enervation--I went from being in the second percentile originally three months into my neuropathic syndrome to the eighteenth percentile on the last one almost two years ago (which technically makes me "normal"--though I doubt I was at the eigtheenth percentile before all this began).
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The neurologist who did the skin biopsy kept on citing a new paper indicating that the new sites for punching are two: one from the thigh and one from just above the ankle. He said that one site used to be above the knee. I relied on his words because he co-wrote a paper himself (which I think you posted as one of the links).
I really want to have a copy of my report in "percentage format". I want to have a reference point for my next biopsy. Unfortunately, when I talked with the nurse, she informed me that they receive only a one-page report and she does not know about the percentile report. Would you be kind to give me a copy of your report (delete the personal information, of course!) just to have an idea of how it looks like and so I can confidently discuss with her. If I could not get this through her, I will talk to my doctor when I see him next month.
Until now, I am still very confused how come that I registered "normal" when I am feeling all these pain. Sometimes I doubt if the skin punch was from the correct leg but I am convinced that it is - because my symptoms are are symmetrical in my feet/legs and arms/hands. I have the same level of pain in both. May be I am not so familiar yet how complicated nerves are and how it can "trick" test results.
Also, this normal result gives me a little hint of pressure when asked about it. My family can understand but those who are "not-so-close' might think that it could just be in my mind.
