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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Human Vastus Lateralis Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Using the Weil-Blakesley Conchotome
Published on: March 4, 2016
Indication for pediatric muscle biopsy determines usefulness.
Ramin Jamshidi1, Michael R Harrison, Hanmin Lee
1Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0570, USA.
Diagnostic skeletal muscle biopsy is inconsistently useful for neuromuscular disorders. Treatment changes are rare, except in suspected inflammatory or neoplastic cases, highlighting the need for refined indications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Diagnostic skeletal muscle biopsy is an invasive procedure.
- It is used for evaluating neuromuscular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic yield of muscle biopsies.
- To determine if biopsy yield varies by indication or suspected diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 142 muscle biopsies from 127 children at an academic tertiary care center (1996-2006).
- Analysis of biopsy indications, diagnoses, and subsequent treatment changes.
Main Results:
- Specific pathological diagnoses were obtained in 23% of biopsies.
- Therapy changes occurred in 8% of biopsies, primarily in cases with suspected inflammatory or neoplastic processes (100% change).
- No treatment changes resulted from biopsies in neonates.
Conclusions:
- Muscle biopsy for neuromuscular disorders has inconsistent utility.
- Specific diagnoses are occasionally found, but treatment modifications are infrequent.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal indications for muscle biopsy.
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