Reply To: Cidp diagnosis

A nerve biopsy can be done when the diagnosis is inconclusive. If the spinal fluid test supports CIDP or GBS, and nerve conduction test supports the diagnosis, and the symptoms are typical of GBS or CIDP, a neurologist should not require a biopsy to begin treatment. Sometimes an insurance company will want a biopsy even if the neurologist does not, because they are hoping it will be negative so they will not have to pay for the treatments (which are expensive). I was fortunate in getting by without one. An invasive test should not be done unless necessary.