A Beginner’s Approach to Skeletal Muscle Biopsy

Abstract

For a beginner in myopathology, interpretation of muscle biopsy is not that simple. There are various reasons. The main reason is not knowing where and how to begin. I had the same difficulty when I started, and in some cases I still continue to have. But is inevitable and should not discourage one from learning myopathology. There are certain basic things you need to know before interpreting a muscle biopsy:

• 1. Clinical information (most important but least provided)

• 2. Basics of muscle electrophysiology

• 3. Basics of laboratory parameters affected in muscle diseases

• 4. Basic of muscle MRI features

• 5. In-depth knowledge of the muscle anatomy (gross and micro), physiology, and metabolism pertaining to age and other factors

• 6. In-depth knowledge of the common terminologies used in reporting muscle biopsies and commonly encountered artifacts

• 7. Broad knowledge of diseases primarily or secondarily affecting skeletal muscle