Charcot Marie Tooth Disease : Tests

A physical exam may show thickened nerve bundles under the skin of the legs. The stretch reflexes in the legs are absent. There is loss of muscle control and atrophy in the foot or leg. Lifting up the foot and toe-out movements will be difficult. ...

Diagnosis of CMT begins with a careful neurological exam to determine the extent and distribution of weakness. A thorough family history should be taken at this time to determine if other people in the family are affected. Testing may also be perf...

When CMT is suspected in a child, the diagnosis begins with a careful neurological exam to determine the extent and distribution of weakness. A thorough family history should be taken at this time to determine if other people in the family are aff...

Diagnosis of CMT begins with a careful neurological exam to determine the extent and distribution of weakness. A thorough family history should be taken at this time to determine if other people in the family are affected. Testing may be also perf...

Diagnosis of CMT begins with a careful neurological exam to determine the extent and distribution of weakness. A thorough family history should be taken at this time to determine if other people in the family are affected. Testing may be also perf...

Until the discovery of the CMT genes, the diagnosis of the condition was made on a clinical basis. The difficulties lie in the similarities with other neuropathies like hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) and those asso...

During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body; Palpation (feeling the body with hands; Auscultation (listening to sounds; Percussion (producing sounds.

Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles. See also: Nerve conduction velocity test

Electromyography (EMG) is an electrical recording of muscle activity that aids in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease.

EMG and NCS TestsElectromyography(EMG)and nerve conduction studies(NCS)are tests that measure muscle and nerve function. In most cases, both tests are performed.

Electromyography (EMG) is used to detect, process, and record electrical muscle activity in order to aid in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease.

Electromyography (EMG) is an electrical recording of muscle activity that aids in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease, which affects muscle and peripheral nerves.

Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test of the speed of signals through a nerve.

A nerve conduction study is a test that measures the movement of an impulse through a nerve after the deliberate stimulation of the nerve.

A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.

A biopsy describes the procedure that is used to obtain a very small piece of the target tissue. For some tissues, like the lining of the cheek, cells can be obtained just by scrapping the tissue surface. Other samples are collected using forceps that are positioned at the end of an optical device called an endoscope. The physician can view the tissue surface (such as the wall of the large intestine) through the endoscope and use the forceps to pluck tissue from the desired region of the surface. In other cases, the tissue sample needs to be collected as a "plug," using a large hypodermic needle. Examples of the latter include liver or kidney biopsy samples. Samples of muscles and nerves can also be obtained by cutting out a small piece of the target once an incision has been made. When a biopsy is obtained using a needle, the retrieval of a sample relies on the design of the needle and the energy of its insertion into the tissue. The needle used is a hollow tube with a sharp point capable of puncturing tissue. As the needle is driven deeper into a tissue following puncture, tissue will accumulate in the hollow tube. When the needle is withdrawn from the tissue, the plug of tissue remains in the needle tube and can be retrieved for analysis. Many biopsy samples are examined using a light microscope to look for abnormalities in the tissues cells. This examination can involve the staining of the sample to specifically detect target molecules. As well, samples can be used for various biochemical tests, and even to test for the presence and activity of particular genes. A biopsy can remove the entire target region (excisional biopsy) or can remove just a small portion of the target region (incisional biopsy). The latter can be done in three different ways, depending on the sample. A shave biopsy slices off surface tissue. Samples collected by piercing the tissue with a needle represent a punch biopsy. Finally, in fine needle aspiration, a needle is inserted and tissue is subsequently withdrawn into the needle using a syringe.

Detailed information on biopsy, including the most common types of biopsy such as endoscopic biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, excisional biopsy, incisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and skin biopsy

Biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a piece of tissue and/or cells are removed to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Detailed information on several of the different divisions of anatomical pathology, including biopsy, surgical pathology, cytology, and autopsy

Image-Guided BiopsyAbiopsyis a small sample of tissue or fluid taken from the body. This sample can then be studied in a laboratory.

If You Are Having a BiopsyQuestions for the doctor:What type of biopsy will I have?Why do I need a biopsy?

Detailed information on biopsy and the biopsy report

A medical procedure used to diagnose a condition. Most biopsies involve taking a small piece of skin or muscle under a local anesthetic. When the cells to be analyzed are accessible by needle, the biopsy specimen may be removed with a hollow aspiration needle, which is used to suck out the sample of cells. Aspirations are typically performed with local anesthesia; in addition, ultrasound imagery or other scanning devices may aid in locating the cells of interest. In cases where the cells are not accessible by needle, a longer tube called an endoscope may be inserted into the body with forceps attached for acquiring the specimen. Biopsy analysis is used in diagnosing cancer and muscular dystrophy.

A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.