Muscle biopsy

Muscle biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of muscle tissue for examination. This is often done to diagnose diseases involving muscle tissue, including inflammatory myopathies, muscular dystrophy, and metabolic defects of muscle.

Procedure

A muscle biopsy can be performed using a needle or through a small incision. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, which means the patient is awake but the area being biopsied is numbed. During a needle biopsy, a thin needle is inserted into the muscle. During an open biopsy, a small incision is made in the skin and a small piece of muscle tissue is removed.

Uses

Muscle biopsies are used to diagnose a variety of conditions. These include:

• Inflammatory myopathies: These are a group of diseases that involve chronic muscle inflammation, accompanied by muscle weakness.
• Muscular dystrophy: This is a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.
• Metabolic defects of muscle: These are disorders that prevent the body from maintaining and building healthy muscles.

Risks

As with any procedure, there are risks associated with a muscle biopsy. These may include infection, bleeding, and damage to the muscle tissue or surrounding structures.

Results

The results of a muscle biopsy can help determine the cause of muscle weakness, pain, or other abnormal findings. The muscle tissue is examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities. The results can help guide treatment decisions.

See also

• Biopsy
• Muscular system
• Muscular dystrophy
• Inflammatory myopathies
• Metabolic defects of muscle

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