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© Dirk Biddle
The least invasive biopsy is performed on the skin where a few cells are scraped from the surface for analysis. Skin biopsies usually are done to identify cancers and benign growths, to help diagnose chronic bacterial and fungal skin infections, to identify other skin conditions, and to aid the diagnosis of lupus, psoriatic arthritis (inflammation of joints and scaly, inflamed skin) or other forms of arthritis that involve the skin, and some vasculitis conditions (i.e., Leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Cryoglobulinaemia).
Where vasculitis conditions are suspected however, there is usually a requirement that a biopsy extend below the superficial dermis into the subcutaneous fat to ensure capturing the vessels involved. This may then involve a ‘punch’ biopsy, where, under local anaesthetic, a small ‘cookie cutter’ is rotated down through the layers of skin to yield a 3-4 mm cylindrical core of tissue sample. The incision may then be sewn closed with a stitch or two, which can be removed 7-10 days later. Cross-sectional slices of tissue are then examined under a microscope for evidence of vascular damage and for the type of damage that may be occurring.
Any time the skin barrier is broken, there is a chance of infection, also, if you tend to form large scars (keloids) in response to a skin injury, there is a fair chance one will form over the biopsy area. You may lose a very small amount of blood during the procedure. A skin biopsy is usually undertaken as a day procedure.
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