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Old 07-20-2016, 09:22 AM
stillHoping stillHoping is offline
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Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 154
8 yr Member
stillHoping stillHoping is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 154
8 yr Member
Default Skin biopsy depth

I’m thinking whether to file a complaint against the doctor who did my skin biopsy. I wrote about it here a few months ago.

On my biopsy report it was written that the sample’s diameter was 4mm and length 8mm.
The biopsy included epidermal and dermal structures (fibers innervating blood vessels, sweat glands, arrector pili muscles, etc.).

According to the replies on that discussion the biopsy size should be only about 3x1mm.
Is it right even when the biopsy includes the dermal structures ?

I searched for papers about it and most of the guidelines that I found describes the location and diameter but not the depth.

In a paper by Lauria, et al. 2010 - European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on the use of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy.
Is written –
“Skin biopsy is most commonly performed using a 3-mm disposable punch under sterile technique, after topical anesthesia with lidocaine. No suture is required. A shallow biopsy (3–4 mm) is adequate to study epidermal nerve fibers, whereas a deeper biopsy (6–8 mm) is required to include sweat glands, hair follicles, and artero-venous anastomosis.”
So is there any chance that 8mm depth is reasonable for this test after all ?
Thanks!
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