What is Muscle Biopsy?
A muscle biopsy involves the removal and examination of a
piece of muscle tissue.
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Effects of Muscle Biopsy
A muscle biopsy may be performed to identify or detect muscular
disorders such as
muscular dystrophy or congenital myopathy; metabolic
defects of the muscle; diseases of the connective tissue and
blood vessels (such as
polyarteritis nodosa);
and infections that affect the muscles (such as
trichinosis or
toxoplasmosis).
A muscle biopsy may also be done to distinguish the
difference between nerve and muscle disorders.
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Candidates for Muscle Biopsy
A muscle biopsy is recommended for those who have
unexplained weakness or muscle pain; unexplained elevations
in serum creatine kinase (CK) levels; and recurrent
rhabdomyolysis (the destruction or degeneration of skeletal
muscle tissue).
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Your
Consultation
No fasting or other special preparation is generally needed
for this procedure. You may be advised though to wear loose
clothing or a hospital gown so that the muscle chosen for
biopsy is easily accessible.
Prior to muscle biopsy, your doctor will come up with a plan
for how the muscle samples will be sent to the different
labs for testing. The testing laboratories will be contacted
before the biopsy is performed so that preparation of the
muscle is executed properly.
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The Muscle Biopsy
Procedure
A muscle
biopsy can be
acquired while you are awake and the area being biopsied is
numbed by local anesthesia. A needle biopsy may be
appropriate in children and adults with
chronic
conditions. A needle is inserted into the muscle in this
procedure. A small "plug" of tissue stays in the needle when
it is detached from the muscle. This tissue is sent to a
pathologist for examination. It is possible that more than
one needle insertion may be required to achieve a large
enough specimen for testing and examination.
Open biopsy entails a small incision through the skin and
into the muscle so that a sample of muscle tissue can be
taken out from the affected area.
There are certain types of muscles that are not good choices
for biopsy, such as muscle that has just been traumatized,
or that is affected by pre-existing condition, such as nerve
compression. The muscle chosen for biopsy has to be
appropriate for the symptoms or suspected condition.
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Recovery
After
the biopsy, you will stay in the treatment area for a short time
for observation. Muscle soreness around the biopsied area
will take place for about 1 to 2 weeks. Patients who have
had the procedure describe the pain like a pulled muscle or
similar to pain from a muscle strain. Your doctor may
prescribe medication to alleviate pain.
The
incision area should be kept clean and dry. Your doctor will
advise you when the stitches should be removed (usually
within 4 to 7 days). You should anticipate a small scar from
the biopsy. Ask your doctor when you should return for a
follow-up visit.
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Risks
The risks are minimal and may include infection, bleeding of
the site, brusing of the area and damage to the muscle
tissue or other tissues in the area (very rare).
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What happens during a muscle biopsy?
A:
A
muscle biopsy may be described as a process in which a piece
of
muscle
tissue is removed from an
organism and examined
microscopically. A
biopsy needle is commonly inserted into a muscle,
wherein a small amount of tissue remains. Also, an "open
biopsy" can be done by securing the muscle tissue through a
small surgical incision.
Q: How
will the test feel?
A:
Throughout the biopsy, there is normally minimal or no
discomfort. You may feel some pressure or "tugging"
sensations.The anesthetic may burn or sting when injected
(before the area becomes numb). After the anesthetic wears
off, the area may be sore for about a week.
Q: Why
is the test performed?
A:
A muscle
biopsy may be completed for the following reasons:
-
To
distinguish between neurogenic (nerve) and myopathic
(primarily muscle) disorders.
-
To
identify specific muscular disorders such as
muscular dystrophy or congenital myopathy.
-
To
identify metabolic defects of the muscle.
-
To
diagnose diseases of the connective tissue and blood
vessels (such as
polyarteritis nodosa).
To
diagnose infections that affect the muscles (such as
trichinosis or
toxoplasmosis).
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