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Indications of muscle biopsy
When is a muscle biopsy indicated?
Muscle weakness with associated laboratory or electrophysiologic evidence of a myopathy is an indication to pursue a muscle biopsy.
How is the muscle site chosen?
In general, the biceps or deltoid muscles in the upper extremity or the vastus lateralis muscle in the lower extremity are selected.
Moderately affected muscles are better to biopsy than severely affected muscles because fibrosis and fatty replacement of the muscle, which are characteristic of end-stage muscle disease, may not provide adequate information.
In addition, muscles affected by other conditions (e.g., radiculopathy or trauma) should be avoided if possible.
