Skin biopsy: indications, procedure, results

Medical manipulations in many patients cause panic. They do not understand the terms and the essence of the procedure is unclear. Some even refuse the necessary tests, guided by the opinion of homegrown experts-neighbors or getting under the influence of stereotypes. But just something you need to talk to your doctor, ask for more details about the purpose. For example, if a skin biopsy is offered to the patient, then he should understand that this procedure is assigned to refine the diagnosis and to be able to overcome the disease at an early stage.

Skin biopsy - what is it?

Biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that takes a piece of living material for further study of its cellular composition. Accordingly, a skin biopsy is an excision for examining a piece of skin.

The material for the study can be obtained in several ways:

• shaving;
• trepanobiopsy;
• exposition.

The choice of method depends on the suspected disease, but in all cases the procedure is performed by a sterile, often single-use instrument.

Indications for skin biopsy

Histological examination of a biopsy material( biopsy) can be prescribed in the following cases:

• in the diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, viral diseases;
• for determining benign formations;
• for the specification of malignant formation;
• for verifying the result after removal of the tumor;
• for suspected lupus;
• for suspected skin tuberculosis;
• in psoriatic plaques;
• with scleroderma, amyloidosis, reticulosis;
• in the presence of deep mycosis;
• in case of disease with nodular periarteritis;
• for the diagnosis of Darya's disease;
• as a control of treatment.

The maximum number of appointments is the detection of oncological neoplasms. Noticing the change in pigmentation or deterioration of the healing of the veins, the doctor prefers to prescribe a biopsy to be able to conduct treatment at an early stage of development.

Who does the assignment?

Skin diseases should be treated by a dermatologist. If the problem is not obvious, but the patient feels uncomfortable, then he should consult a therapist. After the examination the therapist-diagnostician will send to the necessary specialist. He will tell you where to do a skin biopsy.

Which instrument is biopsy performed?

As already mentioned, there are several methods by which a biopsy is performed. Depending on this, the necessary equipment and tools are selected. In most cases, this is an individual kit containing a cannula with a hole, a probe and a movable tube with a protrusion to hold the tissue sample.

Puncture biopsy performed by a needle of the required diameter. It can be a special thin syringe, an automatic system with a spring mechanism or a vacuum needle.

In many cases, a skin biopsy is performed by curettage. In this case, the tool is an annular curette or surgical spoon. These tools differ in the diameter of the gripping surface.

Methodology of conducting. Shaving skin biopsy

Shaving biopsy is performed with a scalpel or medical blade. In this case, a surface cut is performed at the focus of the thickening. The cut out protruding part of the pathological neoplasm is placed in a container with a formalin solution. And the site of manipulation is covered with a sterile napkin. The procedure, as in other cases, is performed under local anesthesia.

Trepanobiopsy

In this case, a histological examination of the biopsy material taken from the center of the affected area is performed. The skin of the skin and subcutaneous fat is punctured with a trepanation needle, rotated and extracted. Then it is picked up with tweezers and cut at the required level. On the wound surface, not exceeding 3 mm, a sterile patch is applied. With a larger diameter of the wound, a suture is applied.

Excisional biopsy

This method is used to excise a lesion with an adjacent healthy area of ​​the skin. The method is effective for detecting malignant tumors. The remaining wound is covered with a sterile napkin, but if the wound site is large, then it is sutured or covered with a skin graft.

Individual tool for skin biopsy is not reused. All dressings should be sterile. The result of the analysis is ready in 1-4 weeks. The term depends on the complexity of processing the biopsy.

Biopsy in psoriasis

Many patients believe that psoriasis can be diagnosed without testing for a characteristic appearance. However, skin biopsy with psoriasis is necessary to rule out other pathologies. In the severe course of the process, the Reeta body is present in the biopsy specimen, which is a manifestation of histological immaturity and a thickening of the keratinocyte layer.

When removing the material for examination, spot bleeding is seen under the plaque. This is evidence of the pathology of vascular permeability at the site of injury. In addition, it allows to identify accelerated angiogenesis.

Preparing for the

study. Complex preparation for skin biopsy is not required. Before the procedure of the doctor should be informed about the anti-inflammatory drugs, allergic reactions and inclinations to bleeding. Women need to warn their doctor about pregnancy.

Recovery after

You can touch the place of withdrawal of the sample only with carefully washed hands with soap. The dressing or other surgical material is removed one day after the manipulation.

To wash the wound, soap is used without dyes and flavoring additives. After washing on the wound surface, Vaseline or bactericidal ointment is applied. Re-ligation of the wound is performed as directed by the doctor. If no further instructions were given, then a sterile napkin or bandage should be applied if the wound is placed in places that are rubbed with clothing. The site where the skin biopsy was performed should be moistened with special ointments several times a day. This will avoid the appearance of a scab.

If the trace from the biopsy is red or swollen, you should see a doctor. This can be a sign of infection.

At least a week after the procedure, limit intake of foods with vitamin E, do not drink alcohol, do not take aspirin and ibuprofen. Violation of this requirement can provoke bleeding.