Why is it said to take a small piece of muscle and test it? Let's learn about Muscle Biopsy in simple terms

Do you sometimes feel like your body is weak and your muscles are weak? Maybe your doctor told you that you might need to have a 'Muscle Biopsy'? You must have been a little scared when you heard that name. "Will they cut a piece of my flesh?" You must have thought. But don't worry. This is not as scary as it sounds. Today we will talk about this very simply, in a way that will answer all the questions you have in your mind.

What is this Muscle Biopsy?

Simply put, this involves taking a very small piece of your muscle, no bigger than a fingernail, and examining it under a microscope in a lab. Just like taking a thread from a cloth and looking at what's wrong with it, examining this piece of muscle can accurately determine if you have a disease (myopathy) that is affecting your muscles. This is a very important test.

When is a Muscle Biopsy Needed?

A doctor won't immediately refer you for this test when they see that you have muscle weakness. They'll do a few other tests first.

• Physical and neurological examination: The doctor will examine you to see the extent of your muscle weakness.
• Blood tests: Blood tests, especially the creatine kinase test , and some genetic testing are done.
• Imaging tests: Things like MRI scans.
• Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG): These test the connection between your nerves and muscles.

What diseases can be detected with this test?

A muscle biopsy can accurately diagnose a variety of muscle-related conditions. The table below will give you a good idea.

Which muscle in the body is the biopsy taken from?

For this test, a piece of muscle is usually taken from one of three places on your body.

• Quadriceps: The large muscle group at the front of your thigh.
• Deltoid: The muscle that attaches to your shoulder.
• Bicep: Your upper arm, that's what we call the meaty part of your arm.

The doctor chooses the site for this test very carefully. The sample is taken from a muscle that is weak or has symptoms . However, if the muscle is very weak, such as if it has recently received an injection, or if there is an injury in that area , this will not be done from that area. Because if that happens, the test results (report) may be incorrect.

How should I prepare before the test?

Your doctor will explain the procedure for this test to you and give you instructions on how to prepare. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly.

• If you have recently (within 6 months) had a muscle injection , had a test like an EMG , or suffered a muscle injury , be sure to tell your doctor about it.
• If you are taking anticoagulants or aspirin , your doctor may ask you to stop taking them a few days before the test. However, do not stop taking any medications until your doctor tells you to .
• You may also be asked to fast (not eat or drink anything other than water) for a few hours before the test.
• If you are given general anesthesia or sedation for the test, it is essential that someone is available to take you home after the test.

What happens during a biopsy?

There are two main methods for performing a muscle biopsy. The procedure varies slightly depending on the method.

1. Open Biopsy Method

This is like a minor surgery.

1. First, the area where the sample will be taken is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution.

2. Next, a local anesthetic is injected into the area, so you won't feel any pain.

3. The doctor makes a small incision in the skin, about 4-6 centimeters long.

4. Then the skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle covering (fascia) are separated, moving on to the underlying muscle.

5. A very small piece of muscle is cut out and removed.

6. Finally, the incision is closed again with sutures and covered well with bandages.

2. Needle Biopsy Method

This method is a bit simpler.

1. In this case too, first clean the area thoroughly.

2. Then a local anesthetic is injected into the area.

3. The doctor makes a very small incision in the skin and inserts a special needle (biopsy needle) about the size of a pencil through it.

4. Usually, an ultrasound scan is used to guide the needle into the correct muscle.

5. Using a device inside the needle, about 3 or 4 small pieces of muscle are cut and collected.

6. Then, the needle is removed, the wound is held in place with some pressure to stop the bleeding, and the wound is covered with a bandage.

Does it hurt a lot when you do this?

This is the biggest problem for many people. In fact, if you are given general anesthesia, you won't feel anything . If you are given only local anesthesia, you will only feel a slight stinging sensation from the needle. After that, you may feel something pressing or pulling, but it won't be very painful .

There may be some mild soreness for two to three days after the procedure. If an open biopsy was performed, the area may be sore for about a week. Sometimes the area may turn blue, like a bruise. Your doctor will advise you on what to do to manage the pain.

After the biopsy and until the report comes

If you were given anesthesia, you will be sent home in a recovery room until the effects of the medication wear off. The muscle sample is flash frozen using special chemicals and sent to a laboratory for testing. There, a pathologist, a specialist in neuromuscular diseases, examines it under a microscope.

The hardest part is waiting for the test report. It usually takes a few days or more than a week for the results to come in. Your doctor will tell you about this.

When should I see the doctor again?

There is a small chance that the biopsy site will become infected, so if you experience any of the symptoms below, you should contact your doctor immediately .

It's normal to feel nervous and anxious when you're told you're going to have a muscle biopsy. And while you're waiting for the results, you'll have a lot of things on your mind. Your doctor understands all of this. So don't hesitate to ask him or her any questions or concerns you may have. If the results confirm a medical condition, think of it as the first step on your journey to recovery. From there, your doctor will work with you to create the best treatment plan for you.

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