Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Human Vastus Lateralis Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Using the Weil-Blakesley Conchotome
Published on: March 4, 2016
Role of repeat skeletal muscle biopsy: how useful is it?
Stephen A Goutman1, Richard A Prayson
1Neuromuscular Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. sgoutman@med.umich.edu
Introduction:
The role of skeletal muscle biopsy is established; however, to our knowledge, no study has systematically evaluated the utility of a repeat biopsy.
Methods:
This study was a retrospective clinicopathologic review of 66 patients (mean age 38.1 years, 39 men) with at least 1 repeat muscle biopsy obtained between February 1992 and November 2011. Clinical data determined how results of the subsequent biopsy impacted patient management.
Results:
Repeat biopsy yielded a definitive diagnosis in 16 of 66 patients (24%). In the remaining patients, a repeat study provided clinically useful information or directly answered the clinical question (n = 30, 45%) by excluding a differential consideration (n = 19), supporting treatment continuation (n = 8), prompting treatment change (n = 1), confirming the original diagnosis (n = 1), or establishing a likely diagnosis (n = 1).
Conclusion:
Repeat muscle biopsy plays a role in the evaluation of patients with suspected myopathy in certain clinical circumstances.
