Skin biopsy
Synonym(s): Dermatology
Introduction
Introduction
- Skin histopathology is a valuable aid to differential and definitive diagnosis of many skin disorders.
- Biopsies can be used for culture and sensitivity of deeper lesions.
Uses
Uses
- Definitive diagnosis of certain skin diseases.
- Categorization of skin disease.
- Exclusion of some diseases.
Punch biopsy
- For small samples of generalized or widespread lesions, such as:
- Demodicosis.
- Sarcoptic mange. Mites: overview
- Dermatophilosis.
- Dermatophytosis. Ringworm
- Onchocerciasis Onchocerca spp.
- Staphylococcal disease. Staph spp
- Immune-mediated skin conditions.
- Evaluation of urticaria/angioedema Urticaria and angioedema.
- Photosensitivity Photosensitization.
Excisional biopsy
- For nodules, tumors.
- Skin TB Skin tuberculosis.
- Nocardiosis Bovine farcy.
- Enzootic bovine leukosis (notifiable) Enzootic bovine leukosis.
- Sporadic bovine leukosis Sporadic bovine leukosis.
- Papillomatosis. Papilloma virus
- Lumpy skin disease. Lumpy skin disease
- Bovine papular stomatitis. Stomatitis
- Herpes mamillitis Bovine herpes mamillitis.
- Pseudocowpox Pseudocowpox.
- Besnoitiosis. Besnoitiosis
- Ulcerative lymphangitis Ulcerative lymphangitis.
Advantages
- Simple technique.
- In many cases will confirm or indicate a clear cut diagnosis.
Disadvantages
- May not yield definitive diagnosis.
- Chronic inflammatory changes and self-excoriation mask pathologic changes.
- Sutures, dehiscence.
- Head and foot lesions may require sedation Sedating cattle.
- Must be obtained early in course of disease before chronic inflammatory changes occur.
- Local anesthesia Local anesthesia - overview.
Technical problems
- Consult pathologist if in doubt as to specimen/fixative required.
- Provide pathologist with as much clinical information as possible.
- Artifacts may cause difficulty in interpretation.
- Representative tissue must be submitted.
Alternative techniques
- Skin scraping Skin scrapes.
- Skin grooming.
- Hair plucking. Hair pluck
- Impression smears Impression smear.
Time required
Preparation
- 5-20 mins.
Procedure
- 5-20 mins.
Decision taking
Situations in which biopsy is indicated
- Deep lesions, especially if infectious organisms are suspected, eg atypical mycobacteria.
- Masses or any possible neoplastic lesions.All neoplastic lesions in cattle must be reported to DEFRA in the UK except papillomata, hemangiomata and hemangiosarcomata.
- Persistently ulcerated lesions.
- Conditions failing to respond to therapy (generally within 3 weeks).
- Unusual or atypical dermatoses.
- Dermatosis diagnosed by biopsy, eg immune-mediated skin disease.
Risk assessment
- Sedation: routine checks Sedating cattle.
- Restraint dependent on sample site and size of animal Restraint techniques.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Littlewood J D (1997) Diagnostic procedures in equine skin disease. Equine Vet Educ 9,174-176.
- Hahn R A (1984) Skin biopsy in horses. Mod Vet Pract 65 (2), 122 .
Other sources of information
- Waine K, Busin V & Strugnell B (2019) Getting the Most out of On-Farm Post-Mortems: A Guide for Veterinary Surgeons. AHDB, UK. Website: https://ahdb.org.uk.
- Moriello K A & Mason I S (1995) Eds Handbook of Small Animal Dermatology. Pergamon, UK. pp 31-33.
- Muller G H et al (1995) Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology. 5th edn. W B Saunders, USA. pp 111-118.