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</div><div><span>Muscle biopsy</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Muscle biopsy</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>A muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>This procedure is usually done while you are awake. The health care provider will apply a numbing medicine (local anesthesia) to the biopsy area. </p><p>There are two types of muscle biopsy:</p><ul><li>A needle biopsy involves inserting a needle into the muscle. When the needle is removed, a small piece of tissue remains in the needle. More than one needle stick may be needed to get a large enough sample.</li><li>An open biopsy involves making a small cut in the skin and into the muscle. The muscle tissue is then removed. </li></ul><p>After either type of biopsy, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How to Prepare for the Test</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>No special preparation is usually needed. If you will have anesthesia, follow instructions on not eating or drinking anything before the test.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test will Feel</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>During the biopsy, there is usually little or no discomfort. You may feel some pressure or tugging.</p><p>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.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Why the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>A muscle biopsy is done to find out why you are weak when the doctor suspects you have a muscle problem. </p><p>A muscle biopsy may be done to help identify or detect:</p><ul><li>Inflammatory diseases of muscle (such as <a test="test" href="./001438.htm">polymyositis</a> or <a test="test" href="./000428.htm">dermatomyositis</a>)</li><li>Diseases of the connective tissue and blood vessels (such as polyarteritis nodosa)</li><li>Infections that affect the muscles (such as <a test="test" href="./000631.htm">trichinosis</a> or <a test="test" href="./000637.htm">toxoplasmosis</a>)</li><li>Inherited muscle disorders such as <a test="test" href="./001190.htm">muscular dystrophy</a> or congenital myopathy</li><li>Metabolic defects of the muscle</li><li>Effects of medicines, toxins, or <a test="test" href="./002350.htm">electrolyte</a> disorders </li></ul><p>A muscle biopsy may also be done to tell the difference between nerve and muscle disorders.</p><p>A muscle that has recently been injured, such as by an <a test="test" href="./003929.htm">EMG</a> needle, or is affected by a pre-existing condition, such as nerve compression, should not be selected for a biopsy.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Normal Results</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>A normal result means the muscle is normal.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>What Abnormal Results Mean</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>A muscle biopsy can help diagnose the following conditions:</p><ul><li>Loss of muscle mass (<a test="test" href="./003188.htm">atrophy)</a></li><li>Muscle disease that involves inflammation and a skin rash (<a test="test" href="./000839.htm">dermatomyositis</a>)</li><li>Inherited muscle disorder (<a test="test" href="./000705.htm">Duchenne muscular dystrophy</a>)</li><li>Inflammation of the muscle</li><li>Various muscular dystrophies</li><li>Destruction of the muscle (<a test="test" href="./001220.htm">myopathic changes</a>)</li><li>Tissue death of the muscle <a test="test" href="./002266.htm">(necrosis)</a></li><li>Disorders that involve inflammation of the blood vessels and affect muscles (<a test="test" href="./000432.htm">necrotizing vasculitis</a>)</li><li>Traumatic muscle damage</li><li>Paralyzed muscles</li><li>Inflammatory disease causing muscle weakness, swelling tenderness, and tissue damage (dermatomyositis or <a test="test" href="./000428.htm">polymyositis</a>)</li><li>Nerve problems that affect the muscles</li><li>Muscle tissue under the skin (fascia) becomes swollen, inflamed, and thick (<a test="test" href="./000447.htm">eosinophilic fasciitis</a>) </li></ul><p>There are additional conditions under which the test may be performed.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Risks</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>The risks of this test are small, but may include:</p><ul><li>Bleeding</li><li><a test="test" href="./003235.htm">Bruising</a></li><li>Damage to the muscle tissue or other tissues in the area (very rare)</li><li>Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Biopsy - muscle</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/8868t.jpg" alt="Muscle biopsy" title="Muscle biopsy" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/8868.htm">Muscle biopsy</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Shepich JR. Muscle biopsy. In: Fowler GC, ed. <em>Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. </em>4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 188.</p><p>Warner WC, Sawyer JR. Neuromuscular disorders. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. <em>Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics.</em> 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 7/21/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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