skin biopsy
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Indications
Punch biopsy:
- bullous, superficial inflammatory & granulomatous diseases
- benign tumors (skin neoplasm)
- nonmelanocytic malignant tumors (skin cancer)
Exisional biopsy:
- suspected malignant melanoma
- atypical pigmented lesions
- deep inflammatory diseases
Shave biopsy
- raised non-melanocytic lesions
Procedure
Punch biopsy:
- 2-10 mm punches; 3 mm is optimal in most cases
- suturing not necessary for 4 mm punch biopsy of trunk or extremity; suturing may be indicated for larger punch biopsies or biopsies on the head or neck[2]
Place biopsy specimen in a preservative & send for pathology evaluation.
Notes
Avoid:
- areas at higher risk of infection
- face or other areas of cosmetic concern
- lower leg (frequent site of chronic inflammatory change)
- lesions with crusting, excoriation, erosions or evidence of secondary infection
More general terms
More specific terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Christenson LJ, Phillips PK, Weaver AL, Otley CC. Primary closure vs second-intention treatment of skin punch biopsy sites: a randomized trial. Arch Dermatol. 2005 Sep;141(9):1093-9. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16172305
- ↑ Tran KT, Wright NA, Cockerell CJ. Biopsy of the pigmented lesion--when and how. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov;59(5):852-71 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18762353
- ↑ Elston DM, Stratman EJ, Miller SJ. Skin biopsy: Biopsy issues in specific diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Jan;74(1):1-16; PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26702794