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Muscle biopsy

Biopsy - muscle

A muscle biopsy is the removal of a small piece of muscle tissue for examination.

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Muscle biopsy

How the Test is Performed

This procedure is usually done while you are awake. The health care provider will apply a numbing medicine (local anesthesia) to the biopsy area.

There are two types of muscle biopsy:

After either type of biopsy, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is usually needed. If you will have anesthesia, follow instructions on not eating or drinking anything before the test.

How the Test will Feel

During the biopsy, there is usually little or no discomfort. You may feel some pressure or tugging.

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.

Why the Test is Performed

A muscle biopsy is done to find out why you are weak when the doctor suspects you have a muscle problem.

A muscle biopsy may be done to help identify or detect:

A muscle biopsy may also be done to tell the difference between nerve and muscle disorders.

A muscle that has recently been injured, such as by an EMG needle, or is affected by a pre-existing condition, such as nerve compression, should not be selected for a biopsy.

Normal Results

A normal result means the muscle is normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A muscle biopsy can help diagnose the following conditions:

There are additional conditions under which the test may be performed.

Risks

The risks of this test are small, but may include:

Related Information

Muscular dystrophy
Polyarteritis nodosa
Trichinosis
Toxoplasmosis
Muscle atrophy
Necrosis
Necrotizing vasculitis
Muscle disorder
Antibody
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Polymyositis - adult
Dermatomyositis
Becker muscular dystrophy
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Common peroneal nerve dysfunction
Eosinophilic fasciitis
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Cardiac amyloidosis
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

References

Shepich JR. Muscle biopsy. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 188.

Warner WC, Sawyer JR. Neuromuscular disorders. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.

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Review Date: 7/21/2022  

Reviewed 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.

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