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The vanishing biopsy: the trend toward smaller specimens
Emmy M Fernandez1, Thomas Helm, Michael Ioffreda
1Pennsylvania State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey 17033, USA.
Cutis
|January 21, 2006
Summary
Dermatologists are performing fewer punch biopsies and more shave biopsies, with a reduction in shave biopsy specimen size. This shift in dermatologic biopsy techniques may impact patient care.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Dermatopathologists observe a trend towards smaller biopsy specimens.
- The clinical implications of evolving biopsy practices require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in dermatologists' biopsy technique selection.
- To evaluate trends in the size of biopsy specimens over time.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 500 dermatologic biopsies.
- Data collected across four distinct time points: 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003.
Main Results:
- A decrease in the utilization of punch biopsy techniques.
- An increase in the performance of shave biopsies.
- A notable reduction in the average size of shave biopsy specimens.
Conclusions:
- Dermatologists' biopsy practices have evolved, favoring shave over punch biopsies.
- The reduction in specimen size may have implications for diagnostic accuracy and patient management.
- Further research is warranted to understand the full impact on dermatologic patient care.