[The value of nerve biopsy in the diagnosis of familial amyloidosis]

Abstract

Nerve biopsies are useful for the etiological diagnosis of certain polyneuropathies. One of them is familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, which can be diagnosed and specified on the basis of a Kongo-red stain and immunohistochemical analysis of the amyloid deposited in the nerve. This possibility is illustrated by a case report. A review of the various clinical, morphological and genetic aspects of these diseases is given.