MUSCLE BIOPSIES
Muscle biopsies are for the evaluation of muscle disease in terms of neurogenic atrophy, muscular dystrophies, myositis, myopathies, and enzyme deficiencies.
CONTACT WPM LABORATORIES BEFORE PERFORMING PROCEDURE
Due to transport of the specimen on dry ice, the biopsy must be performed on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday only.
- Obtain the biopsy from a muscle that is definitely affected, but not so severely affected that much of it is replaced by fatty or fibrous connective tissue. This usually means a –1 to –2 rating on the Mayo Clinic manual muscle testing scale, or a +4 rating on the MRC scale. In addition, the involved muscle should not be one that has been traumatized by injection or by electromyographic (EMG) studies. Typically, the triceps, biceps, or vastus lateralis are chosen.
- Excise a specimen approximately 1.0 cm x 0.5 cm with minimal trauma, dissected along the long axis of the muscle. Due to the nature of testing that is done, do not use electrocautery or a muscle clamp in removing the specimen.
- Place the specimen, after removal, on saline dampened (not soaked) 4 x 4 gauze. Place in a plastic container on wet ice for immediate transport to the Histology Dept. at Salina Regional Health Center; Santa Fe Campus; Salina, Kansas. There the specimen will be flash frozen in 2-methyl butane. The specimen will then be sent on dry ice to Mayo Medical Laboratory.
- Submit specimen with a properly filled out WPM SURGICAL PATHOLOGY & NON-GYN CYTOLOGY request form. Under Special Requests: indicate X Other, and write in "Muscle Biopsy".
Label specimen for proper identification.
NOTE: To assist in interpretation of the specimen, please submit pertinent information, such as the patient’s name, age, name of muscle, date of biopsy, and a brief clinical history on the Mayo Muscle Histochemistry Patient Information Sheet. Pertinent studies such as serum creatine kinase (CK) and electromyographic studies, and the suspected clinical diagnosis should be included.
CONTACT WPM LABORATORIES BEFORE PERFORMING PROCEDURE
Due to transport of the specimen on dry ice, the biopsy must be performed on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday only.
For further questions or information, call a WPM Pathologist at 785-823-7201 or 1-800-365-3430.