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The Role of Sural Nerve Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Vasculitis

Gisslander, Karl LU orcid ; Dahlin, Lars B. LU orcid ; Smith, Rona ; Jayne, David ; O’Donovan, Dominic G. and Mohammad, Aladdin J. LU (2022) In Journal of Rheumatology 49(9). p.1031-1036
Abstract

Objective. The diagnostic yield of sural nerve biopsy (SNB) in vasculitis is uncertain. Our aim was to document relevant characteristics of patients undergoing SNB in the investigation of vasculitis; determine the diagnostic yield; relate positive biopsy findings to patient demographic, laboratory, and clinical variables; and to calculate the rate of surgical complications. Methods. Patients with suspected vasculitis that underwent SNB as part of diagnostic evaluation at academic medical centers in Sweden and the United Kingdom were identified by searching local pathology databases and clinic registers. A structured review of medical case records and pathology reports was conducted. Histological findings were categorized as definite,... (More)

Objective. The diagnostic yield of sural nerve biopsy (SNB) in vasculitis is uncertain. Our aim was to document relevant characteristics of patients undergoing SNB in the investigation of vasculitis; determine the diagnostic yield; relate positive biopsy findings to patient demographic, laboratory, and clinical variables; and to calculate the rate of surgical complications. Methods. Patients with suspected vasculitis that underwent SNB as part of diagnostic evaluation at academic medical centers in Sweden and the United Kingdom were identified by searching local pathology databases and clinic registers. A structured review of medical case records and pathology reports was conducted. Histological findings were categorized as definite, probable, or no vasculitis in accordance with the 2015 Brighton Collaboration reinterpretation and update of the Peripheral Nerve Society guidelines for vasculitic neuropathy. Definite and probable findings were considered positive for vasculitis. Results. Ninety-one patients that underwent SNB were identified (45% female). Forty (44%) patients showed histological evidence of vasculitis: 14 definite and 26 probable. A concomitant muscle biopsy conducted in 10 patients did not contribute to the diagnostic yield. Positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test, organ involvement other than the nervous system, and a longer biopsy sample were associated with a positive biopsy. The reported surgical complication rate was 15%. Conclusion. SNB of sufficient length is a useful procedure to confirm a diagnosis of vasculitis.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, biopsy, neurologic manifestations, vasculitis
in
Journal of Rheumatology
volume
49
issue
9
pages
6 pages
publisher
Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Company Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85140417070
  • pmid:35649553
ISSN
0315-162X
DOI
10.3899/jrheum.211406
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f958fbf7-55a4-4cb4-b3d3-831ae5b405b6
date added to LUP
2022-12-16 11:43:45
date last changed
2024-12-13 00:17:24
@article{f958fbf7-55a4-4cb4-b3d3-831ae5b405b6,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objective. The diagnostic yield of sural nerve biopsy (SNB) in vasculitis is uncertain. Our aim was to document relevant characteristics of patients undergoing SNB in the investigation of vasculitis; determine the diagnostic yield; relate positive biopsy findings to patient demographic, laboratory, and clinical variables; and to calculate the rate of surgical complications. Methods. Patients with suspected vasculitis that underwent SNB as part of diagnostic evaluation at academic medical centers in Sweden and the United Kingdom were identified by searching local pathology databases and clinic registers. A structured review of medical case records and pathology reports was conducted. Histological findings were categorized as definite, probable, or no vasculitis in accordance with the 2015 Brighton Collaboration reinterpretation and update of the Peripheral Nerve Society guidelines for vasculitic neuropathy. Definite and probable findings were considered positive for vasculitis. Results. Ninety-one patients that underwent SNB were identified (45% female). Forty (44%) patients showed histological evidence of vasculitis: 14 definite and 26 probable. A concomitant muscle biopsy conducted in 10 patients did not contribute to the diagnostic yield. Positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test, organ involvement other than the nervous system, and a longer biopsy sample were associated with a positive biopsy. The reported surgical complication rate was 15%. Conclusion. SNB of sufficient length is a useful procedure to confirm a diagnosis of vasculitis.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gisslander, Karl and Dahlin, Lars B. and Smith, Rona and Jayne, David and O’Donovan, Dominic G. and Mohammad, Aladdin J.}},
  issn         = {{0315-162X}},
  keywords     = {{antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies; biopsy; neurologic manifestations; vasculitis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{1031--1036}},
  publisher    = {{Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Company Limited}},
  series       = {{Journal of Rheumatology}},
  title        = {{The Role of Sural Nerve Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Vasculitis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.211406}},
  doi          = {{10.3899/jrheum.211406}},
  volume       = {{49}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}